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Expat Explorer Report 2014 1
Expat Explorer
Report 2014
Expat Explorer Report 2014 2 Expat Explorer Report 2014
Country reports...................................................42
Australia..............................................................43
Bahrain................................................................ 44
Brazil................................................................... 45
Canada................................................................46
China ..................................................................47
France.................................................................48
Germany..............................................................49
Hong Kong..........................................................50
India.................................................................... 51
Malaysia..............................................................52
Mexico ...............................................................53
New Zealand.......................................................54
Oman..................................................................55
Saudi Arabia........................................................56
Singapore............................................................57
Switzerland......................................................... 58
Taiwan.................................................................59
Thailand...............................................................60
Turkey..................................................................61
United Arab Emirates..........................................62
United Kingdom...................................................63
United States.......................................................64
Vietnam...............................................................65
About the survey.................................................66
References......................................................... 67
Introduction.......................................................... 3
Foreword by HSBC...............................................4
Expat Explorer overview........................................5
Expat Economics.................................................. 9
Expat Experience.................................................19
Raising Children Abroad......................................29
Expat Expenses...................................................36
Contents
Expat Explorer Report 2014 3 Expat Explorer Report 2014
Expat Explorer
Introduction
This independent research
study is commissioned by
HSBC Expat and conducted by
third party research company
YouGov, who surveyed 9,288
expats through an online
questionnaire.
The survey was conducted
through April and May 2014,
with expats from over 100
countries taking part.
The survey focuses on the
experiences of expats in their
new country of residence, with
expats from all over the world
describing the opportunities and
challenges they face living away
from home.
The ndings are used to
generate the Expat Explorer
league tables and provide
expats with a balanced
picture of what expat life
is like around the world,
covering four areas:
1. Expat Economics
looks at a range of factors
including expat earning levels,
saving and investing patterns,
and the impact of the current
global nancial climate, to paint
an informed picture of expats
economic situation around the
world.
2. Expat Experience
covers an expats lifestyle,
especially the level of ease or
difculty in which expats can
set up in their new country,
how well they integrate into
the local community, and their
overall quality of life.
3. Raising Children Abroad
reveals the best place for expat
families to bring up children
abroad.
4. Expat Expenses
unveils the most cost-effective
countries for expats to live
based on everyday expenses.
The Expat Explorer
survey, now in its
seventh year, is
one of the largest
and longest-running
global expat surveys.
A stint abroad often brings about
a new perspective on different
ways of living, new challenges
and the chance to experience
different cultures.
The days of moving abroad
purely for monetary reasons,
desirable expat benets and
healthy salaries seem long
gone as expats today seek
out locations that offer more
balanced and well-rounded
lifestyles. This year, nearly 9,300
expats shared with us their
experiences of life abroad, and
their accounts helped to shape
the ndings of the 2014 Expat
Explorer survey and league
tables, painting a revealing
picture of modern expatriate life.
Expats have told us that
Switzerland ranks as the top
country for a balanced expat
life, providing the means to
build a good career while
allowing expats to enjoy a life
outside work and to raise their
family abroad. Expats there
embrace the Swiss way of
life and are relishing what the
country has on offer. Not only
are Switzerland-based expats
enjoying the good climate and
pleasant scenery, with the
country home to the sportiest
Expat Explorer
Foreword by HSBC
expats, but over half of the
expats there also say they have
a better work/life balance than
they had at home. For expat
parents, they note how their
children have a healthier lifestyle
and overall are enjoying a better
quality of life.
The picture is similar for New
Zealand, another country
renowned for its spectacular
scenery and great outdoors.
This year, New Zealand ranks
1st in the Raising Children
Abroad league table with parents
noticing the improved health,
wellbeing and safety of their
children, as well as believing they
are bringing up more condent
and well-rounded individuals.
For the higher earning expat in
2014, Asia is the most popular
destination. Expats there are
almost three times more likely
to earn over $250,000 p.a. than
their counterparts in Europe.
Within Asia itself, our survey
found that China is the preferred
choice for these high ying
expatriates, with four times as
many expats in China (29%)
earning over the $250,000 p.a.
mark compared with the global
average (7%).
The Emerging and Growth
Leading Economies, otherwise
known as the EAGLEs,
are proving popular for the
seconded expat. Almost three
times as many expats in EAGLE
economies like Brazil, Turkey, or
India say they were sent by their
company, highlighting a trend for
corporations to take advantage
of these growth hotspots by
relocating their employees
abroad.
People end up living a life abroad
for many different reasons.
Each year, the results of our
Expat Explorer survey provide
an informative insight into how
expat life has changed, from the
shifts in attitudes to the different
perspectives that make each
expat experience so unique.
Thank you to everyone who has
taken the time to share with us
your stories of life abroad.
Dean
Blackburn,
Head of HSBC
Expat
1
Switzerland, Singapore
and China are the leading
destinations for a balanced
expat lifestyle in 2014, taking
the top three spots in the Expat
Explorer league table.
2
High growth EAGLE
economies such as Brazil,
Turkey, India, China, Mexico and
Taiwan are popular destinations
for companies looking to send
their employees abroad.
3
Asia is home to the highest
earning expats, who are almost
three times more likely to earn
over $250,000 p.a than their
counterparts in Europe (14%
compared with 5% in Europe).
4
Rental rates and volatile house
prices are a big concern among
expats based in the Middle
East 44% of expats there
say uctuations in rental prices
pose a risk to their nancial
wellbeing and over a fth (22%)
say changes in house prices
pose the greatest threat to their
nancial wellbeing.
5
Adventurous expats choose to
head to Asia. Over two-fths
(44%) say that they moved to
Asia because they wanted to
have a new challenge.
6
Canada takes the crown as the
top expat retiree spot, with
three times more expat retirees
than the global expat average
(31% compared with 11%
globally).
7
New Zealand ranks 1st in both
the Expat Experience and
Raising Children Abroad league
tables.
8
Canada and the United States
offer expats an easy setup and
great quality of life. Roughly
three-quarters of expats in both
countries (73% in the United
States and 76% in Canada)
comment on the ease with
which they integrated into the
local community, weighing in
above the global average of
65%.
9
Japan is a safe place to raise a
family abroad. More than nine
in ten (94%) expats in Japan
say that their childrens safety
has improved since moving.
10
Expats rate Taiwanese
healthcare as one of the
best in the world in terms of
affordability and quality. Nearly
three times as many expats
say they are spending less on
healthcare than they used to
(67% compared with the global
average of 27%) and almost
two-thirds (64%) say they enjoy
the higher quality of healthcare
available in Taiwan.
Expat Explorer
Key ndings
Which expats took
part in the survey?
$120k
$92k
This year, Switzerland, Singapore
and China lead the charge as
the top destinations for expats.
Ranking 1st in the Expat Explorer
league table, Switzerland takes
the top spot for expats looking
for a balanced expat life. Many
Switzerland-based expats
mentioned the better work / life
balance, availability of outdoor
activities and a family-centric
culture as the reasons for why
they enjoy the Swiss lifestyle.
When looking at the drivers
behind expats taking the plunge
to move abroad, this year the
most frequently cited reason
was to improve career prospects.
Well over a third of expats (38%)
tell us that their move abroad
was spurred by the prospect
of a better career, with equal
proportions saying they relocated
to improve their quality of life, to
look for a new challenge or to be
with a family partner (all 31%).
For those looking for better
job prospects and increased
earning potential, the Middle
East remains the place to be. At
nearly twice the global average,
around two in three expats say
they moved to Kuwait (63%),
Qatar (63%) and Saudi Arabia
(63%) for better job prospects.
Average expat salaries, however,
vary greatly from region to
region. Boosted by the number
of higher earning expats in Asia,
average salaries in this region
top the $100,000 p.a. mark. The
average annual expat salary in
Asia is $120,000 p.a., compared
with the global average of
$92,000 p.a. This is followed by
expats in the Middle East earning
$84,000 p.a., while Europe-based
expats earn an average salary
of $78,000 p.a. Expats living
in Europe are more likely to be
retired (18%) than those in Asia
(4%) and the Middle East (13%),
which could explain the relatively
lower earnings in the region.
For expat retirees, Canada and
New Zealand emerge as the
most popular locations. Nearly a
third of expats (31%) in Canada
and 28% in New Zealand say
Average annual expat
salary in Asia
Average annual
global expat salary
they are retired compared with
the global average of 11%.
Retirees are most likely to
relocate to be with a loved one
(30%) or to improve their quality
of life (29%).
When looking at the top
economic concerns for expats,
more than a third (35%) say
job market security poses the
greatest risk to their nancial
wellbeing, followed by the state
of the local economy (33%)
and the health of the global
economy (27%). Expats based
in Europe are the most likely to
be concerned about the general
state of the economy in the
country they are residing in
(40%) compared with those in
other regions (Asia 24% and the
Middle East 18%).
Expats who tell us that quality
of life is more important tend to
be attracted to the more relaxed
lifestyles and slower pace of
life of New Zealand (54%),
Australia (46%) and France
(43%). Expats in these countries
noted the more laid back way
of life as well as the sense of
community and family-oriented
culture experienced in these
destinations.
Gender
17% 11% 9%
Banking, Insurance,
Financial Services
Education Telecommunications,
IT & Internet
Respondents: 9,288
Expat Explorer
Overall ndings
When it comes to spending
power and relative disposable
income, over half of expats (53%)
say they have greater disposable
income since moving abroad.
Expats in Asia in particular are
enjoying a greater spending
boost, with lower outgoings
across everyday expenses.
This is especially true for those
in China, Vietnam and Taiwan.
Around six in ten expats in China
(62%), Vietnam (58%) and Taiwan
(56%) say they spend less on
utilities, compared with the
global average of 26%. These
expats also note reduced costs
for groceries about half (48%,
54% and 46% respectively) are
spending less on food, compared
with the global average of 22%.
46% 54%
Age
Occupation
INDIA
5%
35-54
18-34
55+
46%
28%
25%
Be open-
minded and
adaptable. Enjoy
another culture
instead of trying
to bring home
with you!
Expat in Malaysia
Expat Explorer overall Expat Economics Expat Experience Raising Children Abroad Country
Rank Score Rank Score Rank Score Rank Score
Switzerland
Singapore
China
Germany
Bahrain
New Zealand
Thailand
Taiwan
India
Hong Kong
Canada
Australia
Qatar
Oman
United Arab Emirates
Vietnam
Russia
Expat Explorer
rank and score
The Expat Explorer overall
league table ranks each country
using a score that summarises
expats overall impression of
the country. The Expat Explorer
overall score is the average of
the Expat Economics, Expat
Experience and Raising Children
Abroad scores, covering 43
different criteria from the
survey.
0.64
0.58
0.70
0.57
0.51
0.41
0.50
0.53
0.50
0.57
0.47
0.48
0.57
0.58
0.51
0.53
0.45
2
3
1
7
11
22
13
9
12
6
17
14
5
4
10
8
19
5
3
26
10
2
1
6
7
20
17
12
4
28
19
21
15
13
10
5
12
3
9
1
14
18
6
22
8
19
21
27
16
25
20
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
0.52
0.52
0.44
0.50
0.54
0.55
0.51
0.51
0.46
0.47
0.49
0.52
0.44
0.47
0.46
0.48
0.49
0.48
0.50
0.46
0.52
0.49
0.54
0.46
0.43
0.50
0.41
0.49
0.43
0.41
0.36
0.44
0.38
0.42
0.55
0.53
0.53
0.53
0.51
0.50
0.49
0.49
0.49
0.48
0.48
0.48
0.47
0.47
0.47
0.46
0.45
Expat Explorer
Overall league table
0.36
0.47
0.38
0.46
0.27
0.28
0.23
0.33
0.43
0.33
0.48
0.45
0.37
0.23
0.35
0.32
0.19
25
16
23
18
31
30
32
28
21
27
15
20
24
33
26
29
34
16
18
27
24
14
9
8
11
22
30
32
33
25
23
29
31
34
4
24
7
26
2
13
11
23
31
15
30
28
29
17
33
32
34
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
0.48
0.47
0.44
0.45
0.48
0.50
0.51
0.49
0.46
0.42
0.39
0.38
0.44
0.45
0.43
0.42
0.27
0.50
0.39
0.49
0.37
0.53
0.46
0.48
0.39
0.32
0.45
0.33
0.36
0.34
0.43
0.30
0.31
0.19
0.45
0.44
0.44
0.43
0.43
0.41
0.41
0.40
0.40
0.40
0.40
0.40
0.38
0.37
0.36
0.35
0.22
Japan
Malaysia
Belgium
Mexico
South Africa
France
Spain
Ireland
Turkey
Netherlands
Saudi Arabia
Kuwait
United States
Italy
Brazil
United Kingdom
Egypt
Country
Rank Score
Expat Explorer overall Expat Economics Expat Experience Raising Children Abroad Expat Explorer
rank and score
Abroad scores, covering 43
different criteria from the
survey.
Expat Explorer
Overall league table
Rank Score Rank Score Rank Score
Expat Explorer Report 2014
Expat Economics
0.49
0.36
0.23
0.19
0.18
0.31
0.18
0.20
0.24
0.12
0.17
0.29
0.17
0.21
0.06
0.19
0.07
1
2
6
11
15
3
14
10
5
20
17
4
16
9
30
13
28
1
7
11
5
4
12
9
2
8
16
6
17
3
20
18
14
19
5
2
1
4
6
11
3
17
14
7
15
16
20
13
8
19
10
0.76
0.68
0.64
0.69
0.70
0.63
0.65
0.75
0.65
0.58
0.68
0.56
0.72
0.53
0.55
0.62
0.55
0.85
0.87
0.88
0.86
0.84
0.76
0.87
0.65
0.69
0.82
0.66
0.65
0.61
0.70
0.82
0.61
0.79
0.70
0.64
0.58
0.58
0.57
0.57
0.57
0.53
0.53
0.51
0.51
0.50
0.50
0.48
0.48
0.47
0.47
China
Switzerland
Singapore
Oman
Qatar
Hong Kong
Germany
Vietnam
Taiwan
Bahrain
India
Thailand
Australia
Saudi Arabia
Malaysia
Canada
Expat Economics Household income Personal disposable income Satisfaction with local economy Country
Expat Economics
League table
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Expat
Economics
rank and score

The Expat Economics league
table ranks each country using a
score that summarises expats
views about the local economy.
The Expat Economics score is
the average of the household
income, personal disposable
income and satisfaction with
the host economy scores,
covering three key criteria from
the survey.
Mexico
Russia
Kuwait
Turkey
New Zealand
Belgium
United States
Japan
Brazil
Netherlands
Ireland
United Kingdom
France
South Africa
Spain
Italy
Egypt
Country
0.16
0.21
0.09
0.21
0.09
0.10
0.10
0.09
0.19
0.05
0.13
0.10
0.07
0.10
0.03
0.03
0.06
18
8
27
7
25
24
22
25
12
32
19
21
28
23
33
34
31
21
13
10
15
34
24
22
25
31
27
26
33
28
30
29
23
32
12
23
18
26
9
21
24
22
28
27
29
25
30
31
32
33
34
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
0.50
0.62
0.64
0.59
0.34
0.47
0.50
0.46
0.42
0.44
0.45
0.35
0.43
0.42
0.42
0.48
0.37
0.73
0.53
0.63
0.51
0.79
0.56
0.52
0.54
0.45
0.51
0.41
0.52
0.34
0.31
0.25
0.18
0.16
0.46
0.45
0.45
0.43
0.41
0.38
0.37
0.36
0.35
0.33
0.33
0.32
0.28
0.27
0.23
0.23
0.19
Expat Economics
League table
Expat Economics Household income Personal disposable income Satisfaction with local economy Expat
Economics
rank and score

the survey.
The EAGLEs have landed
Leading Economies
1
, otherwise
known as the EAGLEs,
consisting of Brazil, Turkey,
India, China, Mexico and Taiwan
among others are proving to
be popular destinations for
companies looking to send their
employees abroad.
In fact, this years Expat
Explorer survey reveals that
with the global average of 13%.
Many expats living in these
countries also agree that their
host country is getting better as
a place to live and work.
Notably, the highest proportion
of expats (60% compared to
the 32% global average) who
expressed this positive outlook
live in India and China two
countries considered to be
the fastest growing of these
economies in terms of GDP
2
,
the highest proportion of
expats who were seconded
by their employers live in
these emerging and growing
economies.
Well over a third of expat
respondents living in Brazil
(37%) and a similarly high
proportion in Turkey (29%), India
(26%), China (24%), Mexico
(24%) and Taiwan (24%) moved
abroad because they were sent
by their company compared
suggesting that some of the
benets of rapid economic
growth are beginning to be
reected in their experiences of
living there.
There are a lot of
opportunities, and
it is a fast growing
economy
37% 60%
of expat respondents living in
Brazil moved abroad because
they were sent there by their
employers
of expat respondents living
in India and China agreed
that their host country is
getting better as a place
to live and work
Expat in Turkey
Expat Economics
Findings
High earning expats seek destinations with strong projected GDP growth
4
Top destinations for higher earning expats (earning over $250,000 p.a.)
14%
7%
5%
6%
7%
3%
2%
East South
Percentage of expats
earning over $250.000 p.a.
Projected GDP growth in
2016
Asia Middle East Europe
Expats benet from
higher salaries in Asia
Asia is the place to be for higher
earning expats in 2014 as the
worlds highly mobile force of
successful expats look for new
opportunities.
Expat respondents in Asia are
the most likely to earn over
a quarter of a million dollars
(14% of expats in Asia earn
over $250,000 p.a. compared
to only 5% in Europe). Within
Asia, China, which ranks 1st in
the Expat Economics league
table, is by far the leading
destination for these high ying
expatriates. The Expat Explorer
survey found that over four
times as many expats in China
(29%) earn over $250,000
p.a. compared with the global
average (7%).
The survey ndings also reveal
that these higher earning expats
are quick to capitalise on new
opportunities and are ocking to
Asia, where growth is expected
to take off in the coming
years, according to World Bank
gures
3
. Nearly two-thirds
(65%) of those earning over
$250,000 p.a. say they have
been expats on more than one
occasion. Nearly half (47%) say
they relocated to pursue new
job prospects compared with
the global average of 38% and
close to a quarter (24%) moved
to improve their earnings
compared to the global average
of 20%.
As well as earning more, this
group is also settling into the
new culture. Two-thirds (66%)
say they found acclimatising
to the local culture easy
(compared with a global
average of 60%), while more
than a third (34%) say their
social life improved since
moving (compared to a global
average of 28%).
11%
12%
12%
12%
15%
16%
16%
17%
18%
29%
China Switzerland
India
Russia
Hong Kong
Vietnam
Brazil
Turkey
Qatar
Mexico
Expat Economics
Findings
Safety,
economic
stability, higher
salary, career
advancement.
Expat in Singapore
Expats move to the Middle East for better job prospects and to boost their income
Expats who moved abroad
for better job prospects.
Expats who moved
to boost their earning
potential
Career-driven expats
move to the Middle East
A signicant number of expats
move to the Middle East
looking for better job prospects
and to boost their income.
Indeed, the countries where
expats are most likely to move
abroad for these reasons are
all in the Middle East. These
promising career prospects
seem to be a reality, as over
three-quarters (76%) of expats
in the Middle East are in full-
time employment and 70% of
those living in the region believe
that they earn more than they
would have in their home
country (compared with the
global average of 53%).
With the Middle Easts famous
cityscapes of modern towers
and skyscrapers, it is perhaps
not a surprise that nearly twice
as many expats there are
working in construction and
engineering than the global
average (16% compared with
9%). This is particularly true for
those based in Oman and Saudi
Arabia, where expats are nearly
three times as likely to be in
the construction sector (25%
compared with 9% globally).
While the prospects are good
and the pay is promising, these
benets can sometimes come
at a cost, with expats nding
less time to enjoy their life
outside of work. However,
expats heading to the Middle
East not looking for an all
work and no play lifestyle
may want to head to Bahrain,
where 62% of expats say that
they enjoy a good work / life
balance (compared to the global
average of 40%).
Visit the country,
see it in detail,
understand the
limitations on
accommodation
options and get a
full understanding
of the working
culture of
your potential
employer
63%
38%
44%
20%
63%
63%
60%
Qatar
Global
average
Saudi Arabia
Kuwait
United Arab
Emirates
Oman
Bahrain
59%
37%
36%
36%
41%
37%
53%
Expat Economics
Findings
Expat in Qatar
House purchase and rental concerns are higher in the Middle East than other countries High rise property concerns
in the Middle East
Rental rates and volatile house
prices are a big concern among
expats in the Middle East. This
years Expat Explorer survey
reveals that as many as 44%
of expats in the region say
uctuations in rental prices
pose a risk to their nancial
wellbeing more than twice as
many as the global average of
19%. Within the Middle East,
United Arab Emirates based
expats are most likely (58%) to
cite changes in rental prices as
a threat to their nancial wealth
and the sentiment is echoed
among expats in Kuwait (51%)
and Qatar (38%).
Its not just rental prices that
are a concern for expats in the
Middle East. At a country level,
the International Monetary Fund
is calling for places like Dubai
to introduce further measures
to cool the demand for property
in the emirate, which grew at
the fastest pace in the world in
2013
5
. Looking at the regional
picture, over a fth (22%) of
expats in the Middle East say
changes in house prices pose
the greatest threat to their
nancial wellbeing with those
in United Arab Emirates (29%),
Kuwait (25%) and Qatar (19%)
being the most likely to share
these concerns.
Home rentals
are expensive
and expats must
factor that in
before arriving
here
58%
29%
51%
38%
32%
United Arab
Emirates
Kuwait
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Bahrain
Oman
Egypt
19%
25%
19%
14%
9%
8%
7%
11%
16%
Expat Economics
Findings
Expat in Qatar
Expats who say changes in
house rental prices affect
their nancial wellbeing
Expats who say changes
in house purchase prices
affect their nancial
wellbeing
19%
18%
Global
average
How expats are saving for retirement
34%
24%
19%
31%
24%
Putting more into savings Working later in life
Putting more into property Saving more into a pension
Saving more into investment funds
Home is where the heart is
for expats in the Middle East
For most expats, a move to
the Middle East is a short-term
venture, not an opportunity to
settle down.
This years Expat Explorer
survey shows that expats
currently living in the Middle
East are more likely to consider
moving away for retirement
reasons than their counterparts
in Europe and Asia over a fth
(21%) are considering doing so,
compared to 17% and 18% in
Europe and Asia respectively.
When looking at the retirement
plans for expats based in the
Middle East, over half (52%)
say they are making retirement
provisions back in their country
of origin, compared with the
global average of 34%. In
contrast, expats in Europe are
most likely to make retirement
provisions in their host country
(51% compared with a global
average of 41%).
This years survey also suggests
that the global expat population
as a whole has a keen
awareness of how changing
economic conditions can affect
their future plans and current
nancial management. In
response to economic changes
over the past 12 months,
expats surveyed are putting
more into savings, planning to
work later in life, saving more
into a pension, putting more
into property and saving more
into investment funds.
Your journey is
as important as
your destination:
the path to
retirement must
be as enjoyable
as retirement
Expat Economics
Findings
Expat in Qatar
Expat nances become more
complex after moving
A move abroad can entail many
complexities, ranging from
organising accommodation to
sorting out schools, organising
healthcare plans and making
sure their nances are in order.
Having to manage money
in both their home and host
country (45%) is the main
reason nances have become
more complex for expats.
Four in ten (40%) expats say
they maintain a bank account
in their home and host country,
a trend most accentuated in
British expats (51%).
Expats also note that having
more money to manage
(listed by 44%) and dealing
with the intricacies of a more
complicated tax situation (42%)
as other reasons why nances
have become more complex.
survey reveals that, when it
comes to managing expat
nances, six in ten (60%)
expats say they found that
nances have become more
complex since relocating.
This is especially true with the
higher earners, expats earning
more than $250,000 p.a, where
75% agree that nances have
become more complicated
since moving abroad.
75%
agree that nances have
become more complicated
since moving abroad
I manage
nances in three
countries and four
currencies, but I
like it!
Finances become more complex for expats, especially higher earners
Higher
earning expats
(earning over
$250,000 p.a.)
All expats
Expat in Bahrain
Expat Economics
Findings
71%
45%
70%
40%
67%
39%
64%
44%
60%
42%
Having to manage
nances both in home
and host country
Managing nances in
different currencies
Moving money
between countries
Having more money
to manage
More complicated tax
situation
Higher earners enjoy
spending boost abroad
The 2014 Expat Explorer survey
reveals how higher earning
expats - those with an annual
income of more than $250,000
p.a. - are more likely to move
countries to boost their earning
potential than any other income
groups. Nearly a third (32%) say
they moved to improve their
income (compared with a global
average of only 20%) while over
seven in ten (71%) say their
income is higher than it would
71%
say their income is higher than
it would have been at home
Eat out at local
spots as much
as possible as
they are cheap
and there are
thousands of
dishes to choose
from.
have been at home. The growth
in the income of wealthy expats
is even higher when local prices
are taken into account, with
three-quarters (75%) of wealthy
expats saying their disposable
income is higher than it would
have been at home, compared
with 53% of the global average.
Higher earning expats are
taking advantage of the expat
life on offer, be it visiting
restaurants, bars or enjoying
other forms of entertainment.
Close to six in ten (58%) higher
earning expats spend more
on going out compared with
the global average of 49%,
and over half (52%) say they
spend more than they would at
home on recreational activities
in comparison to the global
average of 42%.
Expat in Hong Kong
Expat Economics
Findings
Expat Experience
0.74
0.63
0.68
0.69
0.53
0.58
0.54
0.62
0.58
0.56
0.55
0.63
0.57
0.55
0.56
0.46
0.59
1
4
3
2
22
10
20
6
11
15
16
5
13
18
14
29
8
23
16
27
20
26
10
1
9
8
12
14
18
15
17
13
6
25
3
2
4
6
1
5
8
12
9
7
10
16
15
13
19
14
18
0.66
0.68
0.63
0.67
0.64
0.71
0.77
0.71
0.71
0.70
0.69
0.67
0.69
0.68
0.70
0.72
0.64
0.47
0.49
0.46
0.44
0.49
0.45
0.44
0.43
0.43
0.44
0.43
0.41
0.42
0.42
0.40
0.42
0.40
0.55
0.54
0.52
0.52
0.52
0.51
0.51
0.51
0.50
0.50
0.49
0.49
0.49
0.48
0.48
0.48
0.47
New Zealand
Bahrain
Singapore
Australia
Switzerland
Thailand
Taiwan
Spain
France
Germany
Ireland
Canada
Russia
South Africa
Vietnam
Japan
Hong Kong
Expat Experience Setting up Integration Quality of life Country
Expat
Experience
rank and score

The Expat Experience league
table ranks each country using
a score that summarises the life
experiences of expats in that
country. Two-thirds (67%) of
the Expat Experience score is
derived from the quality of life
score, with the remaining third
(33%) equally split between
the ease of setting up and
integration scores, covering a
total of 29 different criteria from
the survey.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Expat Experience
League table
Malaysia
Oman
India
Turkey
Italy
Mexico
United States
China
Belgium
Qatar
Brazil
Netherlands
United Kingdom
Saudi Arabia
Kuwait
Egypt
Country
0.53
0.55
0.43
0.50
0.50
0.54
0.52
0.58
0.39
0.57
0.47
0.47
0.53
0.59
0.44
0.42
0.45
21
17
32
25
26
19
24
9
34
12
27
28
23
7
31
33
30
22
24
11
33
4
5
3
19
7
28
31
2
30
21
29
32
34
20
21
17
11
24
26
27
29
23
25
22
30
28
33
31
32
34
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
0.66
0.64
0.70
0.56
0.74
0.74
0.75
0.67
0.71
0.62
0.58
0.76
0.58
0.67
0.61
0.57
0.43
0.40
0.40
0.41
0.43
0.38
0.36
0.36
0.35
0.39
0.36
0.39
0.33
0.36
0.31
0.33
0.32
0.19
0.47
0.47
0.46
0.46
0.46
0.45
0.45
0.44
0.44
0.44
0.44
0.43
0.42
0.42
0.39
0.38
0.27
Expat Experience Setting up Integration Quality of life
Expat Experience
League table
Expat
Experience
rank and score

the survey.
Bahrain: The jewel in the
Middle Eastern crown
An archipelago of islands in the
Arabian Gulf, Bahrain is proving
attractive as a destination for
expats heading to the Middle
East.
In the 2014 Expat Explorer
survey, Bahrain ranks 2nd out
of 34 countries in the Expat
Experience league table,
scoring particularly well for
quality of life and performing
better than its Middle Eastern
counterparts, Oman (19th),
United Arab Emirates (21st),
Qatar (28th), Saudi Arabia
(32nd), Kuwait (33rd) and Egypt
(34th).
Expats in the Middle East
looking for a better work /
life balance should enjoy
what Bahrain has to offer.
Compared to the regional
and global average of 28%,
expats in Bahrain are most
likely to say they have a more
active social life since moving
(38%). In addition, nearly half
(47%) say they experience
a better working culture and
environment compared with
the regional average of 43%
and the global average of 39%,
and more than six in ten expats
in Bahrain (62%) say they have
a better work / life balance
than in their home country
(compared with the Middle East
average of 44% and the global
average of 40%).
Furthermore, over half of expats
in Bahrain also agree that they
have better accommodation
(55%) and a better commute
to work (68%) since relocation
the highest out of all Middle
Eastern countries where
regional averages are 40% and
54% respectively and higher
than the global averages of
40% and 45% respectively.
The welcoming
and caring local
people... make
you feel you are
at home.
Expat in Bahrain
Expat Experience
Findings
Sporty expats embrace
Swiss living
For many, a move abroad can
signal a new beginning better
food, better health, more
exercise. This years Expat
Explorer survey reveals that the
open spaces of Switzerland,
New Zealand and Australia
are encouraging expats to
live healthier lives, with many
who have relocated to these
countries remarking on an
increased uptake in sport and
an improved diet.
With ice skating, tobogganing
and skiing as some of
Switzerlands favourite
pastimes
6
, it is perhaps
unsurprising that this country is
home to the sportiest expats
almost half say they are more
active in sports here than they
were at home (43% compared
with a 29% global average).
Switzerland-based expats also
seem to have more leisure
time to indulge in these sporty
hobbies, as over half (51%)
report a better work / life
balance than they had prior
to moving (compared with
a global average of 40%).
With its striking scenery and
mountainous terrain, its not
difcult to see why the country
lends itself to cleaner living.
Over three-quarters (77%) of
expats living in Switzerland
associate the country with
a pleasant climate and
picturesque scenery.
Expats also rank the local
environment second only to
New Zealand when it comes
to air quality and a lack of
pollution. Three-quarters of
expats in Switzerland (75%)
say that the local air quality and
pollution level is better than in
their home country (compared
with the 40% global average).
Expat parents say their children
are also reaping the benets
of fresher air and more open
spaces, with three-quarters
observing that their childrens
health has improved following
the move (74% compared with
A further third of those
surveyed observe a wider
improvement in lifestyle,
agreeing that their diet is
healthier than it was previously
(39% compared to 34%
globally).
Learn skiing - it
is the best way
to enjoy winter...
Summer time is
great with many
open air festivals
and activities by
the lake.
Expat in Switzerland
Expat Experience
Findings
Expats in Turkey delight in the
food and weather
Expats in the Mediterranean are
throwing themselves into local
culture, food rst with expats
in Turkey leading the way.
Global food trends for 2014
continue to show a fresh
appreciation for the lighter
Mediterranean diet
7
and this
years survey shows that there
are plenty of expats following
suit, particularly those living
in the warmer European
countries. In Turkey, expats are
nding these avours closer
to home and win the prize for
the worlds most adventurous
food shoppers, with 84% of
expats there choosing to do
their shopping at local shops
and markets (compared with a
These Turkey-based expats
are hotly followed by foodies
in Italy, Mexico and France (all
77%) who also shop locally
for produce, indicating that
expats here may be more be
more partial to the home-grown
avours found in places other
than the local supermarket.
than they did when they lived
at home is twice the global
average (68% compared to
34%).
Meanwhile Vietnam and
Thailand emerge as the other
food favourites of the East,
each proving a must-go location
for the culinary expat. The
overwhelming majority of
expats in these countries with
(87% in Vietnam and 85% in
Thailand) agree that they enjoy
the local food, exceeding the
global average of 72%.
With this in mind, its no
surprise that expats in the
Mediterranean are the most
likely in the world to say that
they nd it easy to get used to
the local food around four in
ve expats in Turkey (85%), Italy
(83%) and France (80%) agree,
of 73%. A sunny climate also
seems to go a long way in
helping expats acclimatise to
a new life abroad, with eight
in ten expats in Turkey (82%)
agreeing that they found it
easy to get used to the local
weather.
When it comes to the best of
the best, those seeking out
only the tastiest yet healthy
extravaganzas should head
to Japan. Home to more than
50,000 centenarians and the
worlds highest life expectancy
8
,
Japan is famed for its healthy
foodstuffs. This years Expat
Explorer survey saw a large
proportion of expats in Japan
expressing strong appreciation
for the local diet almost all
agree that they enjoy eating the
local food (93% compared with
a global average of 72%), and
the number of those who say
that they have a healthier diet
Turkey has a lot
to offer, dont be
closed to it - try
the food, travel
within the country
and make friends
with plenty of
Turkish people.
Expat in Turkey
Expat Experience
Findings
British expats embrace new
surroundings
Expats hailing from the
United Kingdom are among
the most eager group in the
world to embrace their new
surroundings, with 89% saying
they are happy to experience
the local culture. British expats
bridge the language divide
with pure enthusiasm and are
among the most likely to seek a
new challenge (40% compared
with an average of 31%) when
moving abroad, while more
than six in ten (63%) say they
nd it easy to make friends
after relocating, compared with
a global average of 54%.
Brits are also one of the
quickest internationally to adapt
to the culinary delicacies of
their new home with over eight
in ten (83%) expats originally
from the United Kingdom
reporting that getting used to
the new diet is easy, compared
to an average of 73%.
Unsurprisingly, expats from
the United Kingdom frequently
head to English-speaking
countries, with the outdoor
lifestyles of Australia, Canada
and New Zealand being the
most popular. British expats are
most likely to leave the United
Kingdom to improve their
quality of life (44% compared
with an average of 31%) and,
with 52% saying air quality and
the environment in general has
improved (compared to a global
average of only 40%), the move
seems to be paying off.
Make sure you
get out and meet
people, join local
groups...you will
soon start to
make friends.
Popular destinations for British expats
7%
7%
7% 6%
12%
Australia
Canada
United Arab
Emirates
New Zealand United States
British expat in United Arab
Emirates
Expat Experience
Findings
Expats enjoy the keep calm
and carry on attitude of
Britain plc
When it comes to the keep
calm and carry on
9
mentality,
it appears that expats in the
United Kingdom are some of
the best at adopting the local
attitude and appreciating all that
Britain has to offer.
Expats in the United Kingdom
speak highly of the countrys
local entertainment with
over six in ten (63%) expats
here saying they enjoy the
entertainment on offer
compared to a global average
(47%). The United Kingdoms
thriving pub culture is described
by many expat respondents
this year as an interesting
and unique cultural aspect
of the country, and probably
contributes to expats ability to
meet and socialise with United
Kingdom nationals.
This may also be augmented
by the spike in the popularity
of British coffee shops
10
, with
more independent coffee shops
adopting a more European
approach and encouraging
customers to stay for longer
and strike up conversation with
fellow dwellers.
In addition, the United Kingdom
emerges as the top location for
expats straying outside expat
circles and socialising with
locals over fellow expats (49%
compared to 31% globally),
closely followed by New
Zealand (48%), Canada (48%)
and Ireland (46%).
survey also reveals that around
three-quarters (73%) of those
surveyed are integrating well
into the local community.
Even the British weather,
so often the source of
exasperation among natives,
doesnt appear to put expats
off around half (48%) say they
found it easy to get used to the
weather, despite the prolic
showers and cloudy spells
which are often associated with
life in the United Kingdom.
As well as frequenting bars,
pubs and coffee shops, the
rising popularity of dating apps
and websites
11
with Brits also
means that its never been
easier to meet a potential
partner and fall in love. Half
Enjoy the new
culture and get
to know people.
Theyre great.
Countries where expats have met a life partner since moving (50%) of expats in the United
Kingdom say that they have
found a life partner since
relocating, coming in well
36%.
With nearly three-quarters
of expats in the United
Kingdom agreeing that they
are integrating well into the
local community (73%), it is no
surprise that the majority intend
to stay put seven in ten say
they are planning to stay in
their current location (72%),
well above the global average
of 61%.
57%
50%
49%
48%
49%
Italy
United
Kingdom
China
Netherlands
Russia
36%
Global average
Expat in United Kingdom
Expat Experience
Findings
Adventurous expats
head to Asia
Almost a third of expats (31%)
who took part in this years
Expat Explorer survey say that
they moved abroad because
they wanted to have a new
challenge. This reason is as
common a driver of expatriation
as improving quality of life and
moving to be with a partner
or family, and has only been
topped by better job prospects
(38%).
The region that most attracts
these challenge-seeking expats
is Asia, with over two-fths
(44%) of respondents living
there citing this as a key driver.
Two-thirds (66%) of expats
in Japan and just over half in
Taiwan (52%) and Vietnam
(52%) say this is one of the
main reasons why they moved,
and in these countries, the
desire for a challenge outranks
all other reasons for moving.
Expats heading to Asia
most often originate from
Western countries such as
the United States and United
Kingdom, suggesting that the
different culture, language and
opportunities available provide
an interesting challenge for
expats originally from the West.
A higher number of expats living
in Japan and Taiwan are from the
United States (42% and 35%
respectively) while around a
quarter of expats in Malaysia and
Vietnam are British (27% and
25% respectively).
This Asian trend is especially
clear in the case of Japan,
which is renowned for its
unique culture and also
attracts the highest number
of challenge-seeking expats.
Expats moving to Japan are
embracing the challenges and
getting involved with all that
the country has to offer - the
vast majority of expats in Japan
(95%) say that they are keen
to experience local culture
(compared with the global
average of 83%).
Further to this, expats living
in Japan are the most likely to
try to speak the local language
(87% compared to the global
average of 58%) despite the
fact that it is so hard to master
(72% noted the difculty of
Japanese compared to the
Study Hiragana,
Katakana &
Kanji (written
Japanese) as
well as spoken
Japanese before
moving here.
Especially if you
are in a rural
area, it will help
immensely.
Countries where expats have moved for a new challenge
66%
52%
49% 46%
46% 52%
Japan
Taiwan
Malaysia Thailand
China
Vietnam
31%
Global average
Expat in Japan
Expat Experience
Findings
It comes with age: retired
expats embrace life abroad
The prospect of better climes,
improved quality of life and
more varied cultures can be
a driver for those heading
overseas in their later years.
For whatever the reason,
its not difcult to see why
retiring abroad is growing in
popularity
12
. Among expat
retirees who took part in the
2014 Expat Explorer survey,
almost a third (29%) said they
moved to improve their current
quality of life.
When looking at the top retiree
hotspots, Canada takes the
crown as the most popular
destination, with the proportion
of retired expats living there
almost three times the global
expat average (31% compared
with 11% globally), followed
by New Zealand (28%) and the
United States (26%)
The findings also show that
retired expats are better at
acclimatising to expat life
and generally find it easier
than any other group to tick
off the boxes when it comes
to setting up, getting to grips
with a new way of life and
finding friends and partners.
While some might say that with
age comes a sense of being set
in your ways, this years survey
shows that retired expats are
breaking the stereotype and
making sure theyre spending
their retirement exactly how
they want. Retired expats are
more likely to be rst time
expats (63% compared with
the global expat average of
53%), rather than serial expats
- perhaps indicating that theyre
unafraid of new challenges and
big changes.
The prospect of tting into a
new culture and integrating
into the local community goes
hand-in-hand with this three-
quarters of retired expats say
that they nd it easy to do
both of these (73% and 79%
respectively), adding further to
a picture of a more condent
and liberated expat retiree.
With community integration
and cultural understanding not
fazing these expats, its not
surprising to see that expat
retirees are also nding friends
more easily than any other
Make sure
that planning for
retirement is on
the agenda so
that you can do it
properly.
Expat retirees more likely to acclimatise to life abroad group - two-thirds (66%) say
that its easy to make friends,
and over two in ve (46%)
expats say that they have found
a life partner in their current
country, above the global expat
average of 36%.
Expat retirees also appear
much more likely to stay put
once theyve made the move
almost nine in ten retired expats
say that they intend to remain
where they are currently (86%
compared to 61% globally).
Expat retirees
All expats
71%
54%
73%
60%
79%
65%
71%
54%
46%
36%
Ease of nding
accommodation
Ease of tting
into a new culture
or lifestyle
Likeliness to
integrate well in
the community
Ease of making
friends
Likeliness for
nding a life
partner
Expat in Canada
Expat Experience
Findings
Raising Children Abroad
0.40
0.44
0.42
0.37
0.36
0.50
0.43
0.35
0.43
0.26
0.43
0.43
0.40
0.57
0.32
0.36
0.37
12
4
10
15
16
2
6
19
8
27
5
7
12
1
21
18
14
5
14
10
1
8
2
4
9
15
13
12
3
11
27
7
22
19
1
3
5
10
6
20
11
7
9
2
8
24
17
28
13
14
12
5
1
4
9
7
18
21
8
11
2
20
12
23
3
22
16
28
0.47
0.40
0.43
0.49
0.43
0.48
0.47
0.43
0.39
0.40
0.41
0.48
0.42
0.29
0.43
0.32
0.35
0.78
0.73
0.70
0.65
0.69
0.56
0.64
0.68
0.65
0.74
0.65
0.46
0.59
0.44
0.64
0.63
0.64
0.51
0.55
0.52
0.48
0.50
0.44
0.43
0.49
0.47
0.54
0.43
0.47
0.42
0.52
0.42
0.45
0.38
0.54
0.53
0.52
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.49
0.49
0.49
0.48
0.48
0.46
0.46
0.46
0.45
0.44
0.43
New Zealand
South Africa
Germany
Japan
Singapore
India
Belgium
Canada
Bahrain
Switzerland
Spain
China
France
Thailand
Netherlands
Italy
Raising Children Abroad Childcare Education Health Experience Country
Rank Score Rank Score Rank Score Rank Score Rank Score
League table
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Raising Children
Abroad rank and
score

The Raising Children Abroad
expat parents views about
raising their children in that
country. The Raising Children
Abroad score is the average
of the childcare, education,
health and childrens experience
scores, covering a total of
11 different criteria from the
survey.
0.42
0.23
0.36
0.32
0.41
0.23
0.33
0.49
0.32
0.25
0.29
0.24
0.28
0.28
0.20
0.24
0.23
9
33
17
22
11
32
20
3
23
28
24
30
26
25
34
29
31
17
20
6
29
28
21
23
18
16
30
26
24
33
32
25
34
31
23
4
21
15
25
18
26
33
29
22
16
27
19
31
30
32
34
13
24
31
17
6
19
10
15
27
25
33
29
32
26
30
13
34
0.35
0.33
0.44
0.27
0.27
0.33
0.31
0.35
0.38
0.27
0.29
0.31
0.20
0.21
0.31
0.17
0.24
0.48
0.73
0.54
0.61
0.45
0.59
0.44
0.22
0.42
0.53
0.59
0.44
0.56
0.38
0.38
0.33
0.13
0.47
0.42
0.33
0.45
0.51
0.43
0.47
0.46
0.38
0.41
0.27
0.36
0.29
0.40
0.34
0.47
0.16
0.43
0.43
0.42
0.41
0.41
0.39
0.39
0.38
0.37
0.36
0.36
0.34
0.33
0.32
0.31
0.30
0.19
Taiwan
Australia
Russia
Qatar
Hong Kong
Ireland
Malaysia
Vietnam
Mexico
Oman
Kuwait
United States
Saudi Arabia
Turkey
United Kingdom
Brazil
Egypt
Raising Children Abroad Childcare Education Health Experience Country
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
League table
Raising Children
Abroad rank and
score

survey.
Rank Score
New Zealand tops the charts
for raising children abroad
This year, New Zealand
emerges as the best place to
raise a child, coming 1st in the
table, ahead of South Africa
(2nd), Germany (3rd) and Japan
(4th).
New Zealand performs
particularly well in terms of
health and also comes in the
top ve countries in terms of
education (5th) and experience
(5th). Nearly nine in ten (87%)
expat parents in New Zealand
note the improved safety of
their children since moving
average of 61%) as well as their
improved health and wellbeing
average of 56%).
The scenery, diverse landscape
and good weather are also
factors noted by expats in New
Zealand. The vast majority of
expat parents highlight the
pleasant climate and scenery
as a benet of living there (89%
of 48%) alongside the above
average environmental factors
(73% rate the environment as
better than their home country
compared to a 33% global
average), which all make it an
ideal destination to raise active,
outdoorsy, and healthy children.
Expat parents also point out
some distinct benets of raising
children in New Zealand, with
87% saying that their children
enjoy a better quality of life
average of 56%) and nearly
six in ten (58%) say that that
their children are more well-
rounded as a result of moving
there (compared with the global
average of 40%).
Life is what you
make it here
there are more
opportunities for
children, both
educationally and
socially.
Expat parent in New Zealand
Findings
The states of play for expat
families in the United States
and Canada
Canada and the United States
offer expats an easy setup and
great quality of life, particularly
for families.
When it comes to the reasons
expats are heading to these
countries, family ties go a long
way. Over two-fths (44%) of
expats in the United States
and nearly one-third (30%) in
Canada cite following a partner
or family member as their main
motivation for moving, with
others believing that they are
likely to enjoy a better quality of
life by making the jump abroad
(18% in the United States and
38% in Canada).
With expats in the United
States and Canada most likely
to originate from English-
speaking countries like the
United Kingdom, roughly
three-quarters of expats in both
locations (73% in the United
States and 76% in Canada)
which they integrated into the
local community, weighing in
65%. A higher proportion also
remark on the strong bond they
feel with their new home. Eight
in ten expats in Canada say that
they feel a strong connection
to their host country (88%
compared with a global average
of 62%), and the picture is
similar in the United States,
where seven in ten say the
same thing (70%).
The state of play for expats in
the United States and Canada
is a positive one, especially
where families are concerned.
Canada in particular emerges
as a great spot for parents and
children alike, as three-quarters
of parents (75% compared to a
global average of 61%) say that
they feel their children are safer
than they were in their home
country. Its not just safety
either. Canada also scores well
when it comes to the general
health and wellbeing of expat
kids nearly seven in ten expat
parents here say that is a lot
better than it was previously
(68% compared to a global
average of 56%).
Canada also gets a gold star
from expat parents when it
comes to arranging schooling
Say yes when
you are invited to
go somewhere
or do something.
Most of the time,
you will have
fun and learn
something about
where you are
living.
Expat parent in Canada
for their children six in ten
(61%) say that this is simple to
do, compared with 35% in the
United States and 41% globally.
Furthermore, a quarter (24%)
agree that the country is a cost-
effective place to raise a family
compared to other countries,
deeming it less expensive than
home.
Findings
Global trends in expat
education
Providing their children with
good quality education is a
top priority for any parent,
and for those relocating as a
family abroad, the choices for
education and the decisions
to be made about schooling
can be as important as which
country to move to. This years
Expat Explorer survey reveals
that two in ve (40%) expat
parents choose to send their
children to international schools.
The region where this is most
prevalent is the Middle East
with the vast majority of expat
parents in Qatar (84%), Bahrain
(80%) and the United Arab
Emirates (77%) opting for this
type of schooling.
When looking at state schools,
over a third (37%) of expat
parents choose to send their
children to local schools. This
trend is particularly common
among expats living in English-
speaking countries with
established local curriculums
such as New Zealand (80%),
Canada (79%), Ireland (78%),
United States (78%) and
the United Kingdom (72%).
The quality of education
offered in these countries
likely contributes to parents
willingness to state-educate
their children. Indeed, these
countries are commonly
regarded as having some of
the best education systems in
the world, with 51% and 38%
of parents ranking the United
States and United Kingdom
respectively in their top three
countries for the highest quality
education
13
.
While home schooling has
minimal uptake in comparison
to other educational systems
in all countries, the 2014
data reveals areas where the
highest propensity to home
school occurs among expats.
Expat children in Oman are
four times more likely to be
home schooled than the global
average (12% compared to
3%), closely followed by China
(10%) and Spain (8%).
If you want to
integrate, live in
the countryside
and send your
kids to local
schools.
Expat parent in Switzerland
Findings
Japan: The safest place to
raise your children.
Japans crime rate has always
been relatively low, but this
year, ofcial gures show that it
has dropped even lower. Ofcial
Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development
(OECD) gures ranked Japan
as the safest country in the
world in terms of crime. The
organisation attributed an
ageing population, better safety
technology and less use of
cash
14
as the reasons for lower
crime rates. Unsurprisingly
nearly nine in ten (86%) expats
in our 2014 Expat Explorer
survey associate the country
with higher personal security
(over double the global average
of 42%).
Equally, the vast majority (94%)
of expat parents say that the
safety of their children improved
since moving, and no expats at
all say that it became worse,
putting Japan well ahead of any
other country in the child safety
stakes.
With Japan ranking 4th in the
table, safety is not the only area
in which the country excels for
parents. Many expats globally
cite the quality of education
available to their children, and
Japan ranks the highest out
of any other country in this
respect with 81% of expats
(compared to the 46% global
average) noting this as a benet
of expatriation.
The city is
extremely safe.
Safest countries for expat parents to raise a child
Expat parent in Japan
94%
87%
86%
Japan
New Zealand
Singapore
81%
80%
Switzerland
United Arab
Emirates
Findings
Expat Expenses
0.79
0.82
0.75
0.80
0.78
0.65
0.70
0.74
0.76
0.70
0.68
0.63
0.70
0.60
0.71
0.74
0.55
3
1
7
2
4
18
12
9
6
14
15
21
13
23
11
8
27
1
9
2
4
10
5
6
9
15
12
11
7
16
8
17
27
14
0.62
0.52
0.53
0.50
0.34
0.41
0.38
0.35
0.30
0.33
0.34
0.36
0.30
0.35
0.29
0.22
0.32
0.68
0.62
0.60
0.60
0.50
0.49
0.49
0.48
0.46
0.46
0.46
0.45
0.44
0.44
0.44
0.40
0.40
Thailand
Vietnam
Taiwan
China
Bahrain
India
Turkey
Oman
Qatar
Kuwait
Malaysia
Saudi Arabia
Russia
Mexico
Hong Kong
Germany
Spain
Expat
Expenses
rank and score

The Expat Expenses league
a score that summarises
expats ability to afford a range
of goods and services 35%
of the Expat Expenses score is
derived from the disposable
income score, with the
remaining 65% coming from
the cost of everyday goods and
services score. This involves
a total of 12 criteria from the
survey.
The Expat Expenses score is
used to reveal insights into
the cost of living in the host
country, but is not included
in the Expat Explorer overall
league table or score.
Expat Expenses Disposable income Cost of everyday items Country
Rank Score Rank Score Rank Score
Expat Expenses
League table
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
0.62
0.73
0.66
0.76
0.65
0.47
0.54
0.54
0.58
0.57
0.66
0.58
0.64
0.49
0.55
0.54
0.47
22
10
16
5
19
33
30
31
25
26
17
24
20
32
28
29
34
18
28
21
29
22
13
19
20
24
25
33
26
34
23
31
32
30
0.28
0.21
0.24
0.19
0.24
0.32
0.28
0.27
0.23
0.23
0.18
0.22
0.18
0.24
0.19
0.18
0.19
0.40
0.40
0.39
0.39
0.38
0.37
0.37
0.37
0.35
0.35
0.35
0.35
0.34
0.33
0.31
0.31
0.28
United States
Singapore
Switzerland
Canada
Egypt
South Africa
France
Japan
Italy
Australia
Brazil
Belgium
New Zealand
Ireland
Netherlands
United Kingdom
Expat
Expenses
rank and score

of the Expat Expenses score is
derived from the disposable
survey.
Country
Rank Score Rank Score
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
Expat Expenses
League table
Expat Expenses Disposable income Cost of everyday items
Rank Score
Affordable living in Vietnam
and Thailand
For expats living in the Far
East, life is sweet and often
comes at a lower price than it
did at home.
Expats in Thailand and Vietnam
point out how cost-effective it
is to live in these destinations,
with many saying that the
countries offer much better
value than home. The expat
opinion of Thailand has not
shifted particularly from last
years survey, underlining the
fact that the Far East continues
to be a magnet for expats
in search of cost-effective
adventure.
This year, around two-thirds of
expats say that they associate
Thailand and Vietnam with
a higher quality of life (69%
and 62% respectively), with
many also commenting on the
comparatively higher levels of
disposable income (72% and
75% respectively).
Around two-thirds of expats in
Thailand and Vietnam associate
their host country as being a
culturally interesting place to
live (69% and 64% respectively,
47%). Whether its enjoying Thai
New Year or the Vietnamese
Tet-Lunar New Year festival,
both cultures offer plenty to do
for almost any budget. Here,
recreation also comes at a price
cheaper than almost anywhere
else in the world. These two
Asian countries top the tables
for affordable fun, with about
half the expats living in Thailand
(50%) and Vietnam (49%)
spending less on going out to
visit local restaurants, theatre,
music bars or general night
life compared with the global
average of 23% who said the
same.
But its not just about a good
night out. Expats in Thailand
and Vietnam are among those
most likely to nd that they are
travelling more since becoming
an expat, making the most
of small islands nearby and
transport links to other parts
of the east: particularly so in
Vietnam, where eight in ten
expats agree (79%), just above
Thailand (68%), and signicantly
higher than the global average
of 58%.
Eat the local
food and enjoy
domestic travel.
Its cheap and
easy.
Expat in Vietnam
Expat Expenses
Findings
Less is more for expats
in Asia
The most affordable places to
live are also some of the most
rewarding according to our
Expat Expenses league table.
In Asia, over six in ten (65%)
expats see their disposable
income increase, with more
expats rating the country highly
for quality of life (50%) than
either Europe (37%) or the
Middle East (48%).
China is the best place for
expats looking to make their
money go further, with more
than three quarters (76%)
of expats in the country
experiencing a growth in their
spending power once theyve
moved. The Asian countries of
Vietnam, Thailand and Taiwan
round out the top of our
table, driven by lower spend
on utilities, groceries and
accommodation.
Despite expats in Thailand
saying they spend less on
accommodation than they did
at home (70% compared with
the global average of 23%),
the quality of accommodation
is not compromised, and a
large proportion (78%) of
expats in the country say the
quality of their accommodation
improved or stayed the same.
The same is true in healthcare,
with expats in Taiwan receiving
both the cheapest and the best
healthcare.
However much
you think you
need to bring with
you - dont. Or
bring half. What
you can get here
is either better or
cheaper, so not
worth the hassle
bringing it from
home!
Expat in Thailand
Expat Expenses
Findings
Taiwan scores double
for expat healthcare
The Taiwanese healthcare
system is coveted by healthcare
tourists around the world, but
its simple rules for expats and
provisions for health insurance
are what distinguish it from
the pack in this years Expat
Explorer survey
15
.
Upon relocation, all expats and
their employers are required
to register with the National
Health Insurance system, which
grants them access to medical
and dental care
16
. Contrary to
how many expats feel about the
paperwork involved with getting
enrolled onto local healthcare
systems, nearly seven in ten
(69%) expats in Taiwan agree
that organising health insurance
is relatively easy compared to a
global average of 55% who said
the same.
Expats who took part in the
2014 survey also rate Taiwanese
healthcare as one of the best
in the world, with the results
eclipsing its rivals, both in terms
of affordability and quality.
Nearly three times as many
expats say they are spending
less on healthcare than they
used to (67% compared with
while almost two-thirds (64%)
say they enjoy the higher quality
of healthcare on offer in Taiwan
again at an above global
average of 38%.
Healthcare is a major cost for
expats worldwide, with only
27% saying healthcare costs
went down after making the
move. Taiwan is joined by
the select few countries of
United Kingdom, Thailand,
Japan and Saudi Arabia
offering high quality, affordable
healthcare for expats. However,
despite enjoying higher
quality healthcare, expats in
Switzerland (78%), Germany
(55%), France (48%) and
Belgium (45%) are more likely
to report that the healthcare
costs are higher than the global
average of 42%.
Taiwan has a
well-run health
care system.
Expat in Taiwan
Affordability versus quality of healthcare
Affordable,
low quality
healthcare
Expensive,
low quality
healthcare
Quality
Japan
Belgium
Germany
Switzerland
Singapore
Bahrain
Canada
Spain
Qatar Russia Kuwait
China
Oman
Mexico
Brazil
New Zealand Hong Kong
Australia
South Africa
Netherlands
USA
Ireland
Vietnam
Egypt
Malaysia
Turkey
UAE
Italy
Saudi Arabia
Taiwan
A
f
f
o
r
d
a
b
i
l
i
t
y
Expensive,
high quality
healthcare
Affordable,
high quality
healthcare
France
Thailand
UK
India
Expat Expenses
Findings
Country report
Country reports
Country report Who are the expats in
Australia
14th
12th
4th
19th
Australia is attracting a huge
number of British expats,
who are looking to improve
their quality of life and take
advantage of the pleasant
climate and scenery on offer.
Of the expats who responded
in this years Expat Explorer
survey, half of those living in
Australia originate from the
United Kingdom and Ireland
(45% and 5% respectively).
In fact, Australia is the most
popular destination among
expats originating from the
United Kingdom, with 12% of
British expats choosing to direct
their move down under, double
Over two-fths (46%) of expats
in Australia say they moved
there to improve their quality of
life (compared with the global
average of 31%), while over
a third (34%) say there were
drawn by the promise of a good
climate (compared with the
global average of 13%). This
is perhaps unsurprising given
that many expats heading to
Australia are originally from
the United Kingdom and, no
doubt, looking for a sunnier
break from the infamous British
drizzle. Their expectations are
being met too, as the vast
majority (86%) of those living
there associate Australia with
a pleasant climate and scenery
average of 48%) while 59%
associate the country with a
high quality of life (compared
46%). Unsurprisingly, the
perennial good weather is also
proving conducive to a more
active and healthier lifestyle for
children with almost three-
quarters (73%) of expat parents
noting their childrens improved
health and wellbeing since
moving (compared with the
These positive factors will
have contributed to Australia
coming in 4th place in the
Expat Experience league tables,
but this ranking has been
boosted by the countrys high
score for setting up. Australia
came in 2nd place for ease of
setting up, falling just behind
its geographical neighbour
New Zealand. Australia scores
consistently well across all
areas of setting up with expats
especially noting the ease
with which they were able to
organise their nances (72%
Expat
Economics
Expat
Explorer overall
Expat
Experience
Raising
Children
Abroad
Australias
beautiful
scenery and
reliable climate
appeals to
expats seeking
out a better
quality of life.
In summary compared with the global
average of 54%), healthcare
average of 55%) and utilities
average of 56%). The ease
with which expats are able
to get everything set up may
also be freeing up time for
them to settle in to their new
community, as over three-
quarters (77%) commented on
how easily they integrated into
the local community (compared
65%).
Unlike other countries that
expats move to for career
specic purposes, Australia is
more about the experience.
However, the consistent spread
of expats working across
different sectors shows that
Australia has opportunities
on offer across a wider
spectrum of professions, with
an equal proportion of expats
working across health (10%),
construction and engineering
(10%), nancial services (10%),
hospitality and tourism, (10%)
and telecommunications and
internet (10%) sectors.
10%
Telecommunications,
IT & Internet
10%
Banking, Insurance,
Financial Services
10%
Health
United
Kingdom
45%
Other
31%
New
Zealand
19%
Ireland
5%
INDIA
5%
35-54
55+
18-34
47%
35%
18%
Respondents: 588
Australia
It is a lifestyle choice more than anything. Salaries might
not be as much as they offer to move to other countries,
but the quality of life is awesome in Australia.
Expat in Australia
47%
53%
Gender Country of origin
Age Occupation
Bahrain
11th
5th
2nd
9th
Even though expats in Bahrain
are more likely than average
to say they have stronger ties
to their new country (67%
of 62%), these expats are
also among the most likely
to say they still retain strong
associations with their country
of origin (91% compared with a
Epitomising the contradictions
of expat identity, expats in
Bahrain enjoy the local culture
average of 83%) and the local
food (74% compared with a
global average of 72%) but
also make friends with other
expats (75% say they tend to
make friends with other expats
of 44%).
Combining a 2nd place ranking
in the Expat Experience league
table with 11th place in the
Expat Economics rankings, over
half (53%) of expats in Bahrain
say they moved to improve their
job prospects (compared with a
global average of 38%) and the
majority have found that their
work/life balance has improved
since they arrived (62%
of 40%). This is particularly
impressive when considering
that 77% of expats in the
country say they are earning
more than they would do at
home (compared with a global
average of only 53%).
However, the pay boost
can be seen as a necessity
when looking at the added
expenditure expats experience
upon moving to Bahrain,
especially for accommodation
and general grocery costs.
Nearly two-thirds (64%) of
expats in the country say they
encounter more expensive
housing than they are used
to (compared with a global
average of 52%), and the same
number also say groceries are
more expensive than in their
home country (compared with
the global average of 49%).
Expat parents are particularly
complimentary about the
country, with three-quarters
(75%) saying it is a safer place
for their children than their
home country (compared with
a global average of 61%). Six
in ten (60%) expat parents we
spoke to also rated the quality
Expat
Economics
Expat
Explorer overall
Expat
Experience
Raising
Children
Abroad
Expats in
Bahrain are
some of the
best in the world
at integrating
into the local
culture without
losing their
home identities.
In summary of the local childcare (compared
with a global average of 48%)
whilst overall around two-thirds
(65%) say they saw the health
of their children improve after
moving (compared with a global
average of 56%).
36%
Banking, Insurance,
Financial Services
11%
Marketing, Media,
Creative
9%
Retail, Wholesale
India
36%
Other
25%
United
Kingdom
26%
Poland
13%
INDIA
5%
35-54
18-34
55+
51%
36%
12%
Respondents: 146
Bahrain
The locals respect and accept expats
in a very friendly way.
Expat in Bahrain
29%
71%
Age Occupation
Brazil
26th
32nd
29th
33rd
When it comes to expat life,
the main area where Brazil
excels is integration its one
of the places expats say they
are able to acclimatise to life
abroad most easily. This year
it was beaten only by Taiwan
which topped the tables for
the integration factor, with
Brazil coming second out of
34 countries. Seven in ten
(70%) expats there say they are
integrating well into the local
community (compared with a
global average of 65%) and a
similar proportion (73%) say
that they feel welcome at work.
Nearly half (47%) say that they
found it easy to make friends
during their early experiences
as an expat in Brazil, despite
anecdotal comments from
expats in our survey saying that
the country can sometimes be
a challenging place to grow a
network.
For expats in Brazil, the main
driver for relocating tends to
be for work well over a third
say they were sent by the
company or organisation (37%)
they work for and the same
proportion say they moved to
nd a new challenge (37%).
Leading Economies
17
otherwise
known as the EAGLEs and
consisting of Brazil, Turkey,
India, China, Mexico and Taiwan
among others, are proving to
be popular destinations for
companies looking to send
their employees overseas.
The fact that one in ten expats
who move to Brazil work in the
business (10%) is likely to be
associated with the countrys
recent surge in demand for
these types of roles
18
.
A similar proportion also says
that they moved to follow
family or a partner (32%) to
Brazil. Although the country
didnt retain its crown for being
the destination where expats
are most likely to fall in love
and nd a new life partner
19
,
its gures this year match the
Brazil also emerges as a
magnet for those expats
seeking culture and excitement
and theres no question that
this years international football
games are another example
of this coming into play. The
countrys many festivals
20
and
its rich history also appear to
Expat
Economics
Expat
Explorer overall
Expat
Experience
Raising
Children
Abroad
A magnet for
expats seeking
excitement
and a colourful
culture.
In summary be a big attraction for expats.
Nearly six in ten (57%) of those
arriving there say that they
strongly associate Brazil with
being a culturally interesting
place for themselves and their
families to live, in addition
to around three-quarters
remarking on the pleasant local
scenery (76%) and friendly local
people (75%).
Brazil is also a good place
for expat foodies just over
eight in ten (83%) say they
enjoy the local food (compared
with a global average of 72%)
and three in four expats in
Brazil say they tend to shop
for local produce (73%) at
independent markets rather
than supermarkets. Looking
more broadly at the picture,
two in ve (40%) expats there
say they feel that overall the
country is improving, which
scores above the 32% global
average underlining Brazil
as an enjoyable and balanced
expat destination.
26%
Banking, Insurance,
Financial Services
12%
Education
10%
Construction,
Engineering
United
Kingdom
17%
Other
56%
United
States
17%
Argentina
10%
INDIA
5%
35-54
18-34
55+
51%
25%
23%
Respondents: 115
Brazil
The music, the food and the happiness
of the people.
Expat in Brazil
27%
73%
Age Occupation
Canada
17th
11th
12th
8th
Canada is a great destination
for expats looking to immerse
themselves in their new
environment and really venture
out of the expat bubble.
Over six in ten (62%) expats
living there say that they nd
it easy to make local friends
average of 50%) and 48% are
socialising more with locals
than with other expats
average of 31%). Furthermore,
over three-quarters (76%)
note the ease with which
they integrated in to the local
community (compared with the
global average of 65%), likely
contributing to their satisfaction
more broadly, as the vast
majority (88%) of expats say
they feel a stronger connection
with the country (compared
62%).
Perhaps having these local
friends helps to guide the
setting up process too, with
respondents ranking Canada
as being the 5th in which to
set things up. Expats living
there say that it is easy to
nd accommodation (67%
compared with the global
average of 54%), organise
nances (63% compared with
and set up healthcare (63%
average of 55%).
In terms of the reasons why
expats are heading to Canada,
over a third (38%) move there
to improve their quality of life
average of 31%). They are not
likely to be disappointed either,
as nearly six in ten (58%) note
the improved environmental
health factors (compared with
the global average of 33%) and
better quality housing (56%
average of 40%) on offer in the
country.
Expat children are also seeing
these benets. Three-quarters
(75%) of expat parents say
that their children have a better
quality of life since moving
and are safer than they were
back home (compared with
the global average of 56% and
61% respectively) while 68%
note that their childrens health
and wellbeing has improved
too (compared with the global
Expat
Economics
Expat
Explorer overall
Expat
Experience
Raising
Children
Abroad
Great for kids,
parents and
retirees: expats
heading to
Canada like
to break out
of the expat
bubble.
In summary average of 56%). Not only are
children safer and healthier
upon moving to Canada, but
they can also benet from a
great state-education system, in
to which 79% of expat parents
are choosing to enlist their
children (compared with the
It isnt just about expat children
though, as Canada has a lot to
offer for the older expat. Indeed,
Canada is host to the highest
proportion of expat retirees
than in any other country (31%
compared with the 11% global
average), and these individuals
are displaying condence in the
local economy by choosing
to keep the majority of their
retirement provisions in country
average of 41%). This positive
economic sentiment is shared,
it seems, by the wider expat
population, 79% of whom
express satisfaction with the
local economy (compared with
the global average of 62%)
and associate the country
with economic growth (45%
average of 33%).
12%
Telecommunications,
IT & Internet
11%
Banking, Insurance,
Financial Services
10%
Health
UK
33%
Other
44%
US
13%
India
5%
Hong
Kong
5%
INDIA
5%
55+
35-54
18-34
58%
36%
6%
Respondents: 496
Canada
Enjoy this wonderful country and its people.
Commit to the way of life here.
Expat in Canada
45%
55%
Age Occupation
China
1st
3rd
26th
12th
This year, China tops the Expat
Economics league tables,
ranking 1st across a range of
economic factors including
income, wealth and disposable
income, and in the top ve
for satisfaction with the local
economy.
Indeed, a signicant proportion
of expats in China say that they
are happy with the general
state of the economy (85%
compared with the 62% global
average) and this does not
look set to change, as over half
(52%) currently associate the
country with economic growth
average of 33%).
Employers and employees
alike are recognising the
opportunities in this Emerging
and Growth Leading Economy
21

(EAGLE) with 53% of expats
moving there for better job
prospects (compared with
and nearly a quarter (24%)
being seconded by their
employer (almost double the
global average of 13%). The
pay packages on offer are no
doubt encouraging workers to
accept these expat postings
as China emerges as a hotspot
for higher earners. Compared
with the global average of 5%,
almost one in four (23%) expats
living in China earn more than
$300,000 p.a. - the highest
proportion of any country.
China also performs well in the
Expat Expenses league table,
ranking 4th out of 34 countries
in this regard. In fact, expats
in China are spending less on
day-to-day expenses across
the board with 62% forking out
less money on public transport
average of 35%), household
goods (51% compared with
the global average of 22%) and
utilities (62% compared with
the global average of 26%) as
well as on leisure costs such as
going out (45% compared with
the global average of23%).
Higher income levels, combined
with these cheaper outgoings,
mean that 76% of expats in
China are nding themselves
with more disposable income
than they did back home
average of 53%) and are
enjoying a better social life as
a result with over two-fths
Expat
Economics
Expat
Explorer overall
Expat
Experience
Raising
Children
Abroad
A growing
economy
offering higher
earnings and
a lower cost
of living.
In summary (43%) saying that they have
a more active social life since
moving (compared with the
As an EAGLE economy, China
is also investing heavily in
education
22
, and this is reected
in the experience of expats
living there. Nearly two- thirds
(65%) of expat parents say that
the quality of their childrens
education has improved as a
result of the move (compared
with the global average of 46%)
and just over six in ten (62%)
note the ease with which they
were able to organise schools
average of 41%).
26%
Education
17%
Construction,
Engineering
11%
Banking, Insurance,
Financial Services
United
Kingdom
18%
Other
54%
Hong
Kong
14%
Australia
14%
INDIA
5%
35-54
18-34
55+
50%
40%
10%
Respondents: 119
China
Everything revolves around food - business deals can
be signed at the dinner table or even in karaoke!
Expat in China
40%
60%
Age Occupation
France
30th
23rd
9th
13th
France ranks 9th in the Expat
Experience league table, so
its no surprise that improving
quality of life was top of the
wish list for expats moving to
France, with over two-fths
(43%) citing this as a reason for
moving, compared to a global
average of 31%.
Expats in France tell us theyre
enjoying good food, temperate
weather and great healthcare.
Of those surveyed, the vast
majority (84%) enjoy local
cuisine compared with a global
average of 72%, while nearly
half (48%) nd their diets are
now healthier too compared
with a global average of 34%.
France is described as having
a pleasant climate and scenery
by 63% (compared to a global
average of 48%) with 53%
saying their environmental
conditions are better than
before (compared to a global
average of 40%).
Healthy food and a healthy
environment are matched by
higher quality healthcare too
60% of expats in France now
experience better healthcare
(well above a global average of
38%) and over half (52%) cite
high quality healthcare as a key
benet of moving (compared to
It could be these reasons which
are prompting expats to stay
put 71% are planning to stay
in France, compared to 61%
globally who told us they aim
to stay in their current host
country.
Long-term plans to stay
in France are matched by
commitment to integrating
and particularly the adoption
of the French language 83%
are attempting to learn the
local language (compared with
a global average of 58%) and
58% of expat parents report
that their children are learning
a new language too since
moving aboard (compared with
a global average of 45%). In
44% of cases, expats report
that learning the local language
was easy compared to a global
average of 34%, suggesting
that, while picking up the
language may be a necessity
of expat life there, expats nd
French among the easier of
foreign tongues to learn.
Not only are expat children in
Expat
Economics
Expat
Explorer overall
Expat
Experience
Raising
Children
Abroad
Vive la France:
Lifestyle and
language go
hand in hand
for expats in
France.
In summary France becoming multilingual
theyre enjoying inexpensive
schooling too. Nearly two
thirds (64%) are state school
educated there, compared with
a global average of 37% and
45% of expat parents in France
report that they spend nothing
on schooling, compared with a
global average of 19%. Overall,
35% of expat parents in France
report that it is less expensive
to raise their children there than
it would be at home, double the
18%
Hospitality, Travel,
Leisure, Tourism,
Customer Service
12%
Education
9%
Telecommunication, IT &
Internet
United
Kingdom
43%
Other
43%
Algeria
6% US
4%
Belgium
4%
INDIA
5%
35-54
55+
18-34
44%
36%
20%
Respondents: 248
France
Learn the language and meet the locals. Explore the
country and go off the beaten track there are lots of
hidden treasures to discover in France.
Expat in France
55%
45%
Age Occupation
Germany
7th
4th
10th
3rd
Germany emerges from the
2014 Expat Explorer survey as
a safe and stable destination
for expats, particularly for those
looking to raise children abroad.
Those living in the country are
unlikely to report economic
or political uncertainties - an
impressive 87% of expats
say they are satised with the
state of the German economy,
considerably higher than the
global average of 62% and
more than six in ten regard it
as a safe (61%) and politically
stable place to live (67%).
This sense of security may
be a key factor in explaining
Germanys position in this
years league table for Raising
Children Abroad. Eight in ten
(80%) say that it is a safer place
for their children than their
home country, considerably
of 61%. Similarly, most expats
feel that their childrens general
health and wellbeing is better
in Germany than at home (70%
of 56%).
In terms of schooling, two-
thirds send their children to
public or state-funded schools,
something that is not the norm
globally (the global average is
only 37%). One parent pointed
out that enrolling your children
in a public school helps the
child to learn language easily
and gets them connected
to their community
23
. Other
expat parents in Germany also
recognise this to be the case,
as 81% of those believe one of
the main benets of bringing
their children up abroad is that
they will learn a new language,
almost twice the global average
of 45%.
In fact, expats are just as
concerned with learning and
speaking German themselves
as with their children doing so
82% say they try to speak the
language as much as possible,
far more than the global
average (58%). Indeed, many
emphasised how important
this is for integrating into the
community, suggesting that it
is worth making the effort even
if you dont do it that well
24

however, these language
difculties may help to explain
why almost a third of expats
nd it hard to make local friends
(31%).
Expat
Economics
Expat
Explorer overall
Expat
Experience
Raising
Children
Abroad
Safety and
stability:
expats living in
Germany have
few worries,
making it a
great place to
bring up a child.
In summary Despite this, most expats nd
they integrate well into the local
community (70%), with 86%
saying they enjoy experiencing
local culture, particularly
highlighting annual festivities
such as the Oktoberfest festival
and Christmas markets as
valuable experiences during
their posting in the country.
14%
Telecommunications,
IT & Internet
11%
Marketing, Media, Creative
11%
Construction, Engineering
United
Kingdom
28%
Other
45%
United
States
19%
Austria
8%
INDIA
5%
35-54
55+
18-34
50%
27%
23%
Respondents: 181
Germany
There is so much to see and do in Germany. You will
not get lonely nor will it be boring. Its the experiment
of a lifetime.
Expat in Germany
38%
62%
Age Occupation
Hong Kong
6th
10th
17th
22nd
Hong Kong is a popular
destination among nancial
services professionals,
who account for 45% of
the expats surveyed there.
Higher salaries and the
chance of career progression
make for an attractive expat
proposition.
Hong Kongs stronger
performance on the Expat
Economics league table
(where it ranks 6th out
of 34 countries) is due to
higher salaries and greater
disposable incomes, although
accommodation and the costs
associated with raising a
family remain high. For 52%
of expats surveyed, better job
prospects brought them to
Hong Kong (compared with
38% globally who become
expats for this reason). Nearly
seven in ten (69%) expats
report that they have a higher
income since making the
move and 55% associate
the destination with higher
salaries generally.
However, some costs remain
high, especially when it
comes to raising a family.
Eight in ten (82%) expat
parents there report that
raising their children has
become more expensive,
compared with a global
average of 66%, and housing
is more expensive for 69%
than it was in their home
country - but increased
levels of disposable income
(reported by 63% in Hong
Kong, compared to a global
average of 53%) and cheaper
utilities (40% compared
with a global average of
26%) make for happy
expats. In Hong Kong, 76%
of respondents said they
were satised with the local
economy, well above the
Hong Kong has lots to offer
from a lifestyle point of
view too. It is a great base
for onward travel 70% of
expats say they travel more
since arriving here (compared
with a global average of
58%) and over a third (38%)
report that enjoying luxurious
holidays is a major perk of
moving. Travel within the
territory is good too 82%
told us it was easy to get
around, and 60% now have
a better commute. And, due
Expat
Economics
Expat
Explorer overall
Expat
Experience
Raising
Children
Abroad
Higher
earnings draw
professionals to
an expat life in
Hong Kong.
In summary to its popularity as an expat
destination, there is a thriving
social scene for the newly
arrived to tap into, with 65%
of those surveyed telling us
they go out more with expat,
rather than local friends
(compared to a global average
of 44%).
45%
Banking, Insurance,
Financial Services
12%
Education
8%
Marketing, Media,
Creative
United
Kingdom
32%
Other
40%
China
20%
Australia
8%
INDIA
5%
35-54
18-34
55+
52%
38%
10%
Respondents: 233
Hong Kong
Go with an open mind and be prepared to be
exible in work and social life.
Expat in Hong Kong
47%
53%
Age Occupation
India
12th
9th
20th
6th
Over a quarter of expats (26%)
in India were seconded by their
companies, in line with the
other EAGLES (Emerging And
Growth Leading Economies),
but upon their arrival many
expats also reported that they
were able to benet from
cheaper living costs as well
as nding the country a great
destination for bringing up a
family. This year, India ranks
in the top ten in the Raising
Children Abroad league tables
at 6th place.
One of the main benets
of raising a family in India is
that many nd it more cost
effective, with 44% of expats
reporting that the cost of raising
children there is lower than in
their home country, well above
a global average of 17%. This is
helped by the cheaper childcare,
(which costs less for 46% of
expats compared to an average
of 20% globally), and cheaper
education (less expensive
for 37% of expats in India,
compared to 17% of expats
globally). Childrens education
is also easier to organise,
according to over half (54%)
of expats and three quarters
(75%) of expats in India opt
for international schooling
(compared to only 40% of
expats globally).
Many expats in India also report
greater savings on everyday
expenses when compared to
their home countries. Expats
are spending less on utilities
(43%), groceries (42%),
clothing (42%), healthcare
(41%), housing (40%) and
househod goods (40%)
compared with global averages
of 26%, 22%, 26%, 27% and
23% respectively. While four in
ten (40%) expats told us that
local work culture was difcult
to get used to, 43% say they
have a better work/life balance
since moving, while nearly
two-fths (39%) of expats
report that they now have a
better social life (above a global
average of 28%) and 60% say
its easy to make local friends
of 50%).
Expat
Economics
Expat
Explorer overall
Expat
Experience
Raising
Children
Abroad
Lower living
costs and
good perks
for families
make India an
increasingly
attractive expat
destination.
In summary
21%
Telecommunications,
IT & Internet
19%
Construction,
Engineering
11%
Other
United
Kingdom
23%
Other
49%
United
states
14%
Canada
7%
Japan
7%
INDIA
5%
35-54
18-34
55+
50%
43%
7%
Respondents: 109
India
41%
59%
Age Occupation
India is fun,
exciting and
varied - and
that can
sometimes
mean
challenging
too.
Expat in India
Malaysia
16th
19th
18th
24th
Expats looking for a challenge
are among the most likely
to head to Malaysia in
Southeast Asia 49% of
expat respondents told us this
reason motivated their move,
of 31%. The need to look for a
new challenge was the most
popular reason for expats to
move to Malaysia, followed by
better job prospects (a driver for
46%).
It appears that a larger culture
change is in order for many
expats when they make
Malaysia their home, with over
a quarter (27%) of Malaysia-
based expats surveyed this
year originally from the United
Kingdom. Nearly half of expats
in Malaysia (47%) say they
nd the local language difcult
of 33%). But expats who
make Malaysia their home
seem to embrace the sense
of adventure, with over half
(56%) trying to learn and use
the local language, despite its
difculty, 70% travelling more
since embarking on an expat life
of 58%), and 57% describing
Malaysia as a culturally
interesting place for them and
their families (compared to a
Many also nd that Malaysia
is cost-effective as well as
being an exciting destination.
Respondents report that
accommodation is easy
to nd, higher quality and
relatively inexpensive. Finding
accommodation is described
as easy by 63% (compared to
a global average of 54%), over
half (54%) say it is of a higher
standard than they enjoyed in
their home country (compared
to a global average of 40%) and
34% are now spending less on
housing than before (compared
to a global average of 23%).
Utilities are another area in
which expats are saving 37%
now spend less on these bills
of 26%.
Expat
Economics
Expat
Explorer overall
Expat
Experience
Raising
Children
Abroad
Expats seek
out challenge
and adventure
by heading to
Malaysia.
In summary
22%
Banking, Insurance,
Financial Services
17%
Telecommunications,
IT & Internet
14%
Education
United
Kingdom
27%
Other
53%
India
14%
United
States
6%
INDIA
5%
35-54
18-34
55+
50%
42%
7%
Respondents: 113
Malaysia
Malaysia is
an amazing
country.
Grab the
opportunity
to live here.
Expat in Malaysia
34%
66%
Age Occupation
Mexico
18th
21st
24th
26th
Mexico is a welcoming country
with a lifestyle expats easily
adapt to, despite featuring in
the lower halves of the Expat
Experience, Expat Economics
and Raising Children Abroad
league tables. Six in ten (61%)
expats in Mexico note how
simple it is to make local
friends, with 64% saying they
strongly associate friendliness
with the country (noticeably
of 48%). Many gave examples
of this, commenting on how it
is common to be invited over
for dinner, even if the people
dont know you well, and how
easy people are to get on with.
Most of those relocating to
Mexico quickly adjust to the
climate (69%), prefer the local
entertainment to that of their
home country (59%) and enjoy
eating the local food (80%).
This helps to account for why
Mexico has the third highest
score for integration of the
countries looked at in the Expat
Explorer 2014 survey.
Expats living in Mexico tend
to throw themselves into their
host countrys culture (89%),
with three-quarters (73%) trying
to learn and use
Mexican Spanish regularly. A
signicant proportion (89%)
of expats there say they enjoy
experiencing Mexican culture,
with a number of expats citing
the Day of the Dead celebration
as a particular highlight. Close
to six in ten (59%) expats
also note that they enjoy local
entertainment, including los
Mariachis. Others comment on
the strength of family values,
patriotism and the countrys
Mayan and Aztec heritage as
being the most interesting
aspects of local culture.
In the Expat Explorer 2014
survey, the highest proportion
of expats who were sent
abroad by their employers live in
Emerging And Growth Leading
Economies or EAGLES with
Mexico among them. A quarter
(24%) of expats in Mexico
say that being sent by their
company was one of the main
motivators for their move,
of 13%, suggesting that
businesses are responding to
emerging growth by developing
their offering in these markets
and relocating their employees
abroad.
Expat
Economics
Expat
Explorer overall
Expat
Experience
Raising
Children
Abroad
Mexico offers
expats a lively
land of ancient
cultures.
In summary
27%
Banking, Insurance,
Financial Services
14%
Education
12%
Telecommunications,
IT & Internet
United
States
11%
Other
75%
Argentina
7%
Spain
7%
INDIA
5%
35-54
18-34
55+
53%
33%
14%
Respondents: 135
Mexico
43%
57%
Age Occupation
Living in
Mexico
you cant
help but
notice the
friendliness
of people,
open and
always
willing
to help.
I have never
heard no.
Expat in Mexico
New Zealand
22nd
6th
1st
1st
If youre looking to pick up a
new sport and enjoy the fresh
air, then head to New Zealand.
The relatively small island of
only four and a half million
inhabitants tops both our Raising
Children Abroad and Expat
Experience league tables and is
unsurprisingly the most popular
country for expats who want to
improve their quality of life
25
.
The single biggest destination
for health professionals (14%
of the expats surveyed in New
Zealand are in health compared
to a global average of only 6%)
also happens be one of the
healthiest in the world with
expats in the country the most
likely to experience a leap in
the quality of the environment
since moving (84% compared
with a global average of 40%).
New Zealand-based expats are
also the second most likely to
increase the amount of sport
they play (40% compared with
a global average of 29%) and
the most likely to associate
their new home with cleaner air,
water and other environmental
health factors (73% compared
Indeed, be prepared to spend
more time watching, playing
and talking about sport, with
a number of expats surveyed
noting the passion for Rugby
in New Zealand.
Furthermore, over two-fths
(45%) of expats in New Zealand
say they have started eating
more healthily since making
the move (compared with a
global average of 34%) whilst
three-quarters (75%) also say
they enjoy the local cuisine
average of 72%). For expat
parents in New Zealand, the
combination of good food, more
sport and a cleaner environment
all help to improve the health
of their children nearly eight in
ten (78%) expat parents in New
Zealand say the health of their
children improved since moving
there, compared with a global
average of 56%.
On the topic of children, the
expat parents we surveyed
also raved about the countrys
child friendly qualities. The vast
majority (87%) say their children
enjoyed a higher quality of
life (compared with the global
average of only 56%) and nearly
six in ten (58%) say that that
their children are more well-
Expat
Economics
Expat
Explorer overall
Expat
Experience
Raising
Children
Abroad
New Zealand
top for expat
quality of life
and raising a
family abroad.
In summary rounded as a result of moving
there (compared with the global
average of 40%).
The Maori culture is a particular
highlight for the expats in
our survey, noting traditional
practices such as Hongi,
where the locals greet one
another by touching noses and
the integration of Maori culture
into the school curriculum.
Perhaps because of these
cultural quirks, over three in four
(78%) expats say they nd it
easy to t into the New Zealand
culture and lifestyle.
The speed with which expats
embrace New Zealands rich
culture could also be down
to the welcoming people.
Three-quarters of expats (75%)
say the people are particularly
welcoming (compared with a
global average of only 48%)
whilst over six in ten (61%)
say it was easy to make local
friends (compared with a global
average of 54%). Expats in New
Zealand tend to make friends
outside of expat circles and
are less than half as likely as
average to make friends with
other expats (21% compared to
15%
Telecommunications,
IT & Internet
14%
Health
11%
Education
United
Kingdom
75%
Other
14%
Australia
7%
Canada
2%
Netherlands
2%
INDIA
5%
55+
35-54
18-34
54%
43%
4%
Respondents: 209
New Zealand
Watching my daughter learn Maori
has been amazing!
Expat in New Zealand
47%
53%
Age Occupation
Oman
4th
14th
19th
27th
In keeping with much of the
Middle East, expats are most
likely to move to Oman to
improve their job prospects
average of 38%) and earning
potential (41% compared with
a global average of 20%),
with the majority of expats
associating the country with
higher salaries (66% compared
With nearly nine in ten (86%)
expats in Oman satised with
the state of the economy
average of 62%), Oman
achieves a top ve ranking in
our Expat Economics league
table at 4th place. Overall,
69% of expats in Oman say
they have more disposable
income than they would have at
home (compared with a global
average of 53%).
When looking at the investment
patterns of expats in Oman, the
Expat Explorer survey reveals
that expats there are the most
likely globally to increase
their investment into property
after making the move (47%
of only 24%). Expats based in
Oman are not just concerned
about prudential money
management, however, and
are more than twice as likely
as the average expat to splash
out on an expensive car (63%
of 31%).
Omans working life also
stands out with 55% of expats
saying their work/life balance
has improved since moving
average of 40%) and 65%
noting an easier commute to
work (compared to a global
average of 45%). Yet although
expats in Oman can expect to
settle in more easily at work,
expats take time to acclimatise
to their new surroundings.
Whilst 60% say it is easy
to adapt to the work culture
of 53%), only 49% found it
easy to adapt to the Omani
weather (compared with a
Similarly, whilst 73% said
they feel welcome at work
of 66%), learning the local
language proved difcult for
56% of the Oman-based expats
Expat
Economics
Expat
Explorer overall
Expat
Experience
Raising
Children
Abroad
Fast cars and
higher incomes
attract expats to
Oman.
In summary we spoke to (compared with
Nevertheless, perseverance is
well worth it for expats looking
to move to Oman, with 84%
of expats saying they enjoy the
local culture, in line with the
25%
Construction
14%
Banking, Insurance,
Financial Services
10%
Education
India
38%
Other
32%
United
Kingdom
20%
Pakistan
10%
INDIA
5%
35-54
18-34
55+
55%
35%
11%
Respondents: 113
Oman
Seize the opportunity with both hands and enjoy
life here as there is so much to see and do.
Expat in Oman
21%
79%
Age Occupation
Saudi Arabia
15th
28th
32nd
30th
Saudi Arabia draws expats
looking to pursue economic
opportunities abroad, although
it ranks lower in the Expat
Economics, Expat Experience
league than its Middle-Eastern
neighbours such as the United
Arab Emirates and Oman.
Just over seven in ten expats
(71%) there say they earn
more in Saudi Arabia than they
would in their home country,
which is considerably higher
than the global average of 53%.
The country is associated with
higher salaries (67%) and the
majority of expats (82%) report
they are satised with the
current state of the economy.
Better job prospects (63%) are
the main motivation for expats
in choosing to move to Saudi
Arabia, followed by nancial
drivers. Well over a third (37%)
of expats there say they moved
to boost their earning potential.
The countrys booming
construction sector
26
is also
seen to be drawing expats in,
with a quarter working in the
industries (25%).
Raising children in Saudi Arabia
is not cheap though, with
three-quarters (76%) of expat
parents saying they nd it
more expensive to bring their
children up in their host country
compared to their home
country.
Expats are also nearly twice as
likely to send their children to
international schools than the
global average (77% in Saudi
Arabia compared to 40%) and
81% say the cost of education
is higher than at home. Despite
the expense, the majority
of expats think Saudi Arabia
is a safer place to bring up
their children than their home
country (65%).
The lower Expat Experience
league table rankings reveal
some Saudi-based expats nd
the lifestyle challenging. Most
expats do not see Saudi Arabia
as a long term opportunity, with
67% considering or actively
looking to move elsewhere.
This suggests that although
the economic opportunities are
a draw, expats move there for
short term nancial gain rather
than to settle down.
Expat
Economics
Expat
Explorer overall
Expat
Experience
Raising
Children
Abroad
Enticing
economic
opportunities
for career-driven
expats.
In summary
25%
Construction,
Engineering
9%
Education
8%
Retail/Health
India
30%
Other
36%
Pakistan
23%
Philippines
11%
INDIA
5%
35-54
18-34
55+
47%
42%
11%
Respondents: 139
Saudi Arabia
Expat in Saudi Arabia
13%
87%
Age Occupation
Start
making
friends and
get socially
involved.
Singapore
3rd
2nd
3rd
5th
For expats looking for an
improved quality of life and
greater economic opportunities,
Singapore is the place to go.
The country comes 3rd in both
the Expat Economics and Expat
Experience league tables this
year, topping the latter for Asia
countries.
Most expats enjoy the diverse
range of food available (74%),
commenting on its multicultural
inuences and the central role
it plays in the Singaporean
lifestyle.
Many pulled out the hawker
centres with their low cost,
high quality, authentic food as
being a particularly interesting
part of the cultural experience,
with almost two-thirds (65%)
saying they enjoy shopping
for local produce at the local
markets.
The country performs solidly
in all areas accounting for
quality of life, consistently in
line with global averages for
expats having high quality
accommodation (44%
compared with 40% globally),
an active social life (31%
compared with 28% globally)
and good access to healthcare
(48% compared with 38%
globally).
Getting set up in Singapore is
a relatively simple process for
new expats. Just over two-
thirds (67%) say it was easy to
organise their nances when
relocating and three-quarters
say they had little difculty in
setting up their utilities (76%
of 56%). In terms of lifestyle,
most found it easy to t in with
Singaporean culture (71%), with
over seven in ten (73%) saying
they found the weather easy to
get used to and an impressive
88% saying they quickly got
used to travelling around the
local area.
The majority of expats moved
to Singapore for better job
prospects (60%), and given
that 78% of expats are in full-
time employment (compared
58%), theyve made a safe
choice. Generally, people are
satised with the state of the
Singaporean economy (88%)
and most have greater levels
of disposable income since
moving to the country (64%
Expat
Economics
Expat
Explorer overall
Expat
Experience
Raising
Children
Abroad
A higher quality
of life with a
vibrant food
scene draws
expats to
Singapore, but
this doesnt
come cheap.
In summary compared with the global
average of 53%). Nearly six
in ten expats there associate
Singapore with higher salaries
and lower taxes (both 56%).
However, life in Singapore is
expensive. More than three-
quarters of expats pay more for
their accommodation than they
did at home (77%), signicantly
of 52%. Most also spend more
on going out (67%), groceries
(63%), healthcare (58%) and
utilities (53%) than before they
moved to the country.
This theme carries on when
expats discuss raising children
in Singapore, with 87% saying
it is more expensive to do
so than at home. Well over
three-quarters of those paying
for their childrens education
nd it more expensive than
educating them at home (83%).
However, for this money, 70%
say their children get a better
quality of education than they
would have had otherwise. A
considerable majority feel that
living in Singapore means their
children have a better quality of
life (71%) and even more, that
it is a safe place to raise a child
(86%).
24%
Banking, Insurance, Financial
Services
13%
Telecommunications,
IT & Internet
12%
Construction, Engineering
Malaysia
23%
Other
39%
India
21%
United
Kingdom
17%
INDIA
5%
35-54
18-34
55+
55%
36%
10%
Respondents: 344
Singapore
Every group lives peacefully united and in harmony
with each other regardless of race, religion or colour.
It is simply a beautiful place to experience.
Expat in Singapore
44%
56%
Age Occupation
Switzerland
2nd
1st
5th
10th
Performing strongly in all three
league tables, Switzerland has
emerged as the top destination
in the 2014 Expat Explorer survey
for a balanced expat life.
Much of this success is driven by
high levels of economic satisfaction
(87% of expats say they are happy
with the state of the economy),
which helps to explain why the
country comes second in the Expat
Economics league table. A quarter
of expats earn over $200,000 p.a.,
more than twice as many as the
global average (25% compared with
the global average of 11%) and 85%
associate Switzerland with higher
salaries than their home country.
This is a necessity in a country
where life is expensive: the cost
of living tends to be much higher
for expats in Switzerland than in
their home countries, with many
reporting they spend considerably
more on groceries (84%),
healthcare (78%), accommodation
(77%), household goods (69%)
and going out (66%) than they
did previously. Despite this, over
two-thirds nd they have more
disposable income than they did
before moving to the country (68%).
However, the countrys position
at the top of the global league
table is not solely a result of
economic factors. Expats living
in Switzerland have an active and
healthy lifestyle, with many taking
advantage of the pleasant climate
and scenery (77% associate this
with Switzerland compared with
the global average of 48%). Over
two-thirds say they travel more
since moving there (68%), taking
advantage of the countrys central
location in Europe.
With a number of expats
commenting on the the joys
of both the summer and winter
seasons in the mountains
27
, its
lucky that nine in ten expats think
travelling around Switzerland
is easy (91% compared with a
global average of 72%). The fresh
mountain air helps explain the
fact that three-quarters of expats
say the environment is better in
Switzerland than in their home
country, considerably higher than
the global average (75% compared
to 40%) and this in turn seems to
inspire expats to bring out their
sporty side: expats in Switzerland
are the most likely to report doing
more sports since moving to the
country (43% compared with a
29% global average). The stunning
environment combined with
the amazing skiing, fondue and
Expat
Economics
Expat
Explorer overall
Expat
Experience
Raising
Children
Abroad
Money in the
mountains:
high earnings
plus the great
outdoors makes
Switzerland the
top destination
for expats.
In summary chocolate
28
means that it is no
surprise that Switzerland performs
so well in the Expat Experience
league table.
Switzerland is also among the
top 10 countries to raise a child
abroad. Parents feel that it is a
very safe place to bring up their
children (81% say it is safer than
their home country, compared to
the global average of 61%) and that
their health and wellbeing is better
average of 56%). Children growing
up in Switzerland also receive a
high quality education (65% of
parents say this is better than at
home), with parents particularly
highlighting the benet of their
children learning a new language
average of 45%). However, like
most things in the country, raising a
child in Switzerland does not come
cheap - 83% of parents say that
it is more expensive to bring their
children up there than at home.
With its high salaries, beautiful
scenery, outdoorsy lifestyle
and great benets for raising a
family, it is no surprise to see
Switzerland claim its place as the
top destination in this years Expat
Explorer survey.
26%
Banking, Insurance,
Financial Services
11%
Telecommunications, IT
& Internet
10%
Marketing, Media,
Creative
United
Kingdom
33%
Other
46%
United
States
11%
Germany
10%
INDIA
5%
35-54
18-34
55+
64%
28%
8%
Respondents: 174
Switzerland
Expat in Switzerland
45%
55%
It may look like a quiet country but theres
a lot happening.
Age Occupation
Taiwan
9th
8th
7th
18th
Taiwan performs well in both
the Expat Experience and
Economics league tables,
particularly standing out for
how well expats integrate into
local life (receiving the highest
integration score of all the
countries in this years league
tables).
An overwhelming 93% say they
enjoy experiencing Taiwanese
culture, from the celebrations
around the Ghost Festival
and Lunar New Year to the
tea ceremony, temples and
superstitions. Most expats are
big fans of the local food (85%)
and enjoy shopping for produce
in the local markets (75%)
many called out Taiwans
famous night markets with
hawkers selling stinky tofu,
bubble tea and hundreds more
local specialities.
Nearly two-thirds of expats in
Taiwan say they have more
disposable income than in
their home country (65%) and
almost a fth of expats earn
over $200,000 p.a. Taiwan
comes 3rd when looking at
the overall Expat Expenses
league table, which covers the
most cost-effective countries
for expats to live based on
everyday outgoings. Lower
accommodation, utilities,
healthcare and transport costs
all contribute towards the
affordability of living in the
country.
Three-quarters of expats
feel welcome at work (76%)
although some comment on
how different the work culture
in Taiwan is compared to what
theyre used to. Friendliness
clearly spreads beyond work
life 91% of expats strongly
associate Taiwan with friendly
locals, whom they describe
as kind, helpful and polite.
This being said, the expat
community in the country is
also strong, with almost two
thirds saying they tend to go
out with expat friends rather
than locals (62%).
This years survey creates
a glowing picture of the
Taiwanese healthcare system.
Setting up healthcare when
moving to a new country can be
challenging, even for seasoned
expats; however, 69% of
expats in Taiwan think sorting
out their health insurance and
other medical provisions was
Expat
Economics
Expat
Explorer overall
Expat
Experience
Raising
Children
Abroad
A thriving
healthcare
system,
affordable
lifestyle and
lively local
culture make
Taiwan a
fantastic option
for expats.
In summary relatively easy compared to a
global average of 55%. It also
stands out for affordability, with
over two-thirds of expats saying
they spend less on healthcare
in Taiwan than they used to
at home (67%) signicantly
of 27%. A similar proportional
also say the accessibility
and quality of healthcare in
the country is far better than
at home (64%), completing
the picture of a ourishing
healthcare system in Taiwan.
25%
Education
13%
Marketing, Media,
Creative
7%
Banking, Insurance,
Financial Services
United
States
35%
Other
41%
United
Kingdom
16%
Canada
8%
INDIA
5%
35-54
18-34
55+
43%
41%
16%
Respondents: 153
Taiwan
Taiwan is a wonderful island, full
of interesting places to go to.
Expat in Taiwan
39%
61%
Age Occupation
Thailand
13th
7th
6th
14th
Thailand emerges from the
2014 Expat Explorer survey as
the best destination for expats
looking for an improved lifestyle
at a low cost. Over two-thirds
of expats say they associate
Thailand with a higher quality
of life (69%) and 72% say they
have greater levels of disposable
income than they did before
moving to the country (much
of 53%).
This greater level of disposable
income can be attributed to
the high proportion of expats
who say they spend less on
utilities (71% compared to a
global average of 26%); on
accommodation (70% compared
to a global average of 23%); on
public transport (69% compared
to a global average of 35%) and
on groceries (66% compared
to 22% globally). However, this
does not mean a drop in quality
looking at accommodation, for
example, over three-quarters of
expats say the quality of their
accommodation improved or
stayed the same since moving
(78%).
Its lucky that expats in Thailand
have lots of disposable income
as the country is not short
of exciting opportunities to
spend it. Thai cuisine is clearly
popular with expats, with 85%
saying they enjoy eating the
local food, while the shopping
is also highly regarded. One
expat who completed the
survey reported the shopping
as amazing, ranging from local
markets for cheaper goods to
world class shopping centres
that have everything although
clothes shopping can be
challenging, with expats from
western countries noting it
can sometimes be difcult to
nd clothing in the right size
29
.
Thai culture holds no less
appeal 90% say they enjoy
experiencing local culture,
from Buddhist temples to
ancient historical sights and the
Songkran festival to celebrate
the New Year.
Language can be a bit of a
struggle, with 77% of expats
saying that they found it
difcult to learn Thai when they
rst moved to the country.
However, this doesnt seem
to stop people getting around:
over two-thirds of expats say
they travel more since moving
to Thailand (68%), taking
Expat
Economics
Expat
Explorer overall
Expat
Experience
Raising
Children
Abroad
Cheap and
cheerful: money
goes further in
Thailand so be
sure to explore.
In summary advantage of the beautiful
destinations across the country
and Bangkoks position as a
gateway to the rest of Asia.
79% say it is simple to travel
around locally, be it to historical
sites and temples, the national
parks in the mountains or the
stunning beach resorts.
25%
Education
12%
Marketing, Media, Creative
12%
Hospitality, Travel, Leisure,
Tourism, Customer Service
United
Kingdom
38%
Other
39%
United
States
14%
Canada
9%
INDIA
5%
35-54
55+
18-34
44%
30%
26%
Respondents: 140
Thailand
Visit local markets, shops, restaurants, pubs. Visit
everywhere in the country, North, South, the coast,
the mountains. Everywhere.
Expat in Thailand
33%
67%
Age Occupation
Turkey
21st
26th
22nd
31st
Turkey is well-favoured as a
key holiday destination
30
, but
also appeals to expats who are
unafraid of a challenge, with
many in this years survey citing
this as their main motivation
for moving abroad (38%
of 31%). Other top reasons
prompting expats to make the
jump include nearly a third
being sent by their company
or organisation (29%), and a
further 26% who were keen
to improve their current quality
of life.
Unsurprisingly, the sunny
weather and pleasant landscape
are big draws for a higher
proportion of expats in Turkey
over three-quarters associate
the country with these aspects,
and a further third (32%) agree
that the local environment is
better than it is at home. With
a higher number of sunshine
days per calendar year, its
unsurprising that just over eight
in ten (82%) say they found it
easy to get used to the local
weather, scoring well above the
Nearly two-fths of expats
(38%) in Turkey go there
because they like a challenge,
which may explain why it
emerges from the survey
as one of the trickier places
for expats to nd their feet.
Language is one area which
brings this to life; second only
to Vietnam, Turkey emerges
from the survey as the location
where expats describe learning
the language as being difcult
average of 33%).
However in the spirit of
embracing a challenge, it is
also the country where expats
are most likely to have a go at
picking up the local lingo. Eight
in ten (82%) say that they aim
to try and speak Turkish, which
is well above the global average
of 58%.
As well as being the most likely
group of expats to explore the
local shops and enjoy regional
produce, there are other
benets of being in Turkey
which contribute to a better
quality of life for expats. For
instance, a higher percentage
than the global average are
able to employ household or
domestic staff and/or a nanny
average 20%), with nearly six
Expat
Economics
Expat
Explorer overall
Expat
Experience
Raising
Children
Abroad
Expats in Turkey
delight in food
and weather.
In summary in ten enjoying more disposable
income than previously (59%
of 53%). Our survey also found
that there are a number of
other everyday items upon
which expats are spending less,
enabling them to have a higher
quality of life at a lower cost
than they spent previously.
Expats in Turkey are also
planning for the future when
thinking ahead to retirement.
The main way they are doing
so is contributing to savings
(30%) and investing more of
their savings into property
(29%). Over half of expats hold
the majority of their retirement
provision at home, rather than
in Turkey (56% compared to
a global average of 34%),
suggesting that expats there
intend to return home just
over half (51%) say they are
either considering or actively
looking to either move back
home or to another country
of 39%).
22%
Education
19%
Banking, Insurance,
Financial Services
11%
Marketing, Media,
Creative
United
Kingdom
35%
Other
44%
United
States
14%
India
7%
INDIA
5%
35-54
18-34
55+
52%
27%
21%
Respondents: 307
Turkey
Knowing the culture will be really helpful and it will be
a very smooth process... Turkey is an excellent place to
live and work and the food is amazing!
Expat in Turkey
44%
56%
Age Occupation
10th
15th
21st
16th
The United Arab Emirates emerges
from this years survey as a great
option for career-minded expats
looking for a high quality of life,
securing a solid score from expats
across all criteria, but particularly
for Expat Economics where it
ranks 10th out of 34 countries.
The main attraction for expats
there appears to be the career
opportunities, with 60% of
expats believing that the move
will improve their job prospects,
well above the global average of
38%. Furthermore, over a third
(37%) say their main motivation
for moving was to pursue a higher
quality of life, and over half (54%)
agree that this is something they
continue to associate with life
there after they arrive.
Some of the benets reported by
expats in the United Arab Emirates
include higher salaries (58%
compared to a global average of
40%), a better car (55%), higher
quality accommodation (39%), and
domestic help (23%), all of which
exceed the global averages of
31%, 29%, and 20% respectively.
However, expats report that a lot
of things such as utilities (58%)
and household goods (53%) cost
more than they did at home.
Although nearly six in ten (58%)
expats there say that they have
more disposable income than
they did at home, this is only
just above the global average of
53%, underlining the fact that it
is far from cheap, particularly in
comparison to more cost-effective
options like Vietnam (75%) and
Thailand (72%).
Work and income emerge as major
drivers for expats living in the
United Arab Emirates, but it also
appears that it may not be all about
the money. Expats also comment
on the pleasant working conditions
and enjoyable travel to and from
their jobs. Well over half say that
their work commute is better than
it was at home (59% compared
with a global average of 45%) and
a greater proportion says that they
feel welcome at work, matching
When it comes to socialising,
expats are more likely to stay
within these circles rather than
make local friends. Over six in
ten (64%) expats agree that
they tend to go out with expat
friends more than local friends
(compared with a global average
of 44%). This could be partly due
to difculties with the language
54% say that they found it hard
Expat
Economics
Expat
Explorer overall
Expat
Experience
Raising
Children
Abroad
The place to
be for career-
minded expats.
In summary to learn (compared with a global
average of 33%), despite a similar
proportion (49%) making the effort
to try and use it. Nearly six in ten
think the country is getting better
for expats (58% compared to
32%) and 82% are satised with
the present economy (compared
to 62% average). The Purchasing
Managers Index, a benchmark
indicator of a countrys economic
health, continues to show good
growth
31
for the United Arab
Emirates which may prove a
further draw for expats from
around the world in the future.
Expats there also associate the
country with higher personal
security (66% compared to 42%
average).
However the Expat Explorer
survey also reveals that the
United Arab Emirates emerges
as one of the costlier expat
destinations, with more than half
saying that they would choose to
leave because it is too expensive
(60%) or for retirement (23%).
With that in mind, its unsurprising
that changes in rental price is
perceived by expats to pose the
biggest risk (58%) to nancial
wellbeing and condence over
the next 12 months (compared to
19% globally).
17%
Banking, Insurance,
Financial Services
15%
Construction,
Engineering
10%
Retail, Research
India
46%
Other
28%
United
Kingdom
15%
Pakinstan
11%
INDIA
5%
35-54
18-34
55+
50%
41%
9%
Respondents: 963
Experience the local culture with a local
resident... it makes things far more interesting!
Expat in United Arab Emirates
43%
57%
Age Occupation
United Kingdom
29th
33rd
31st
32nd
The United Kingdom emerges
from this years Expat Explorer
survey as a solid place for
expats to enjoy a balanced
life, with a varied culture and
friendly community, despite
the tough competition of more
exotic locations like Thailand,
New Zealand and Australia.
Expats are most likely to head
to the United Kingdom in
pursuit of better job prospects
(31%) or to be with family and
partners (31%), but this years
survey reveals that expats
there are also among the most
likely to fall in love in their new
country. Half of expats (50%)
there say that they have found
a life partner since moving
second only to Italy (57%) and
of 36%. Nearly three-quarters
(73%) found it easy to integrate
into the local community.
Although the survey covers
the United Kingdom in its
entirety, some of the most
interesting facts emerge
from the countrys capital,
where eight in ten expats say
they feel a strong connection
with the city (81% compared
London is also capital for
local entertainment with over
two-thirds (67%) saying they
enjoy the music and movies on
offer nearby, compared with
the global average of 47%. Its
a similar story for the rest of
the country: six in ten (63%)
expats agree that they enjoy
local entertainment and 86%
say that they are happy to
experience the local culture.
When it comes to the other
advantages of living in
London, expats also value the
citys culture and deem it an
interesting place for themselves
and their families to live: nearly
six in ten (59%) expats agree
with this compared to the
global average of 47%. Other
things that expats associate
with life in the United Kingdom
capital include its political
stability (43%), higher salaries
(40%) and friendly local people
(34%).
Many expats in the wider
United Kingdom also report the
benets of being able to get on
the property ladder and enjoying
good quality healthcare. One
in three expats who did not
own a property at home say
Expat
Economics
Expat
Explorer overall
Expat
Experience
Raising
Children
Abroad
Life in the
United Kingdom
offers expats
careers,
property and
the potential to
nd a partner.
In summary that this is now no longer the
case (30% compared to a
global average of 21%), beaten
only by South Africa (39%),
Canada (38%) and the USA
(31%). Over one in three say
that healthcare is better there
than in their home country
(matching the global average
of 38%) and almost twice
this proportion comment on
the ease of setting it up (67%
of 55%), outdoing provisions for
arranging healthcare elsewhere,
particularly in the United States
(41%), Japan (39%) and Turkey
(36%).
20%
Banking, Insurance,
Financial Services
12%
Education
9%
Marketing, Media,
Creative
Ireland
12%
Other
60%
United
States
11%
Australia
7%
INDIA
5%
35-54
55+
18-34
41%
39%
20%
Respondents: 1,267
United Kingdom
Despite the unpredictable weather it can be a
wonderful country to live in.
Expat in United Kingdom
54%
46%
Age Occupation
United States
24th
30th
25th
29th
The United States continues
to prove its worth as a hotspot
among the older generations,
with retirees making up over
a quarter (26%) of expat
respondents to this years Expat
Explorer survey (compared with
The established economy
might be one reason for this
trend, with a large proportion of
expats indicating their trust by
choosing to keep the majority
of their retirement provisions
in the country (65% compared
41%).
While moving abroad later
on in life may be appealing, it
can also be very stressful, but
expats retiring to the United
States will be pleased to hear
that it rates highly among
expats for ease of setting up,
ranking in the top 10 countries
in this regard. Indeed, nearly
three-quarters of expats (73%)
say that they found it easier
to integrate in to the local
community (compared with
while close to two- thirds (65%)
which they were able to nd
accommodation (compared
54%). This will also be music
to the ears of the many rst-
time expats heading stateside
average of 53%), who have
less expat know- how, but are
also likely to be setting up to
stay, with seven in ten (71%)
expats there expressing an
intention to remain where they
are (compared with the global
average of 61%).
This longevity may be
accounted for by the type of
expats heading there and the
reasons why they move. With
44% of expats in the United
States moving to be with a
partner or family, which is more
than the global average of 31%,
these expats are less easily
uprooted, having to think about
how the move will affect - not
just themselves but other
family members.
For these more family-driven
expats, the well-respected
education system on offer
may also add to the countrys
appeal. A signicantly larger
number of expat parents
living in the United States are
choosing to state educate their
Expat
Economics
Expat
Explorer overall
Expat
Experience
Raising
Children
Abroad
Family-focused
expats move
to the United
States and stay
put, making
use of the
great schooling
system.
In summary children, with 78% of expats
opting for this type of schooling
average of 37%). The free
education on offer means that
a great deal of parents do not
spend anything on school fees
average of 19%) and they are
not having to compromise on
quality either, as half (51%) of
expat parents rank the United
States in their top three best
countries for schooling
32
.
13%
Education
10%
Health
9%
Marketing, Media,
Creative
United
Kingdom
25%
Other
58%
Canada
9%
India
8%
INDIA
5%
55+
35-54
18-34
47%
33%
20%
Respondents: 553
38%
United States
See as much as you can while youre here and just
keep doing it. You never know how long youll stay.
Expat in United States
62%
Age Occupation
Vietnam
8th
16th
15th
25th
Expat life in Vietnam is all about
travelling, challenging yourself
and having a good time,
according to this years survey,
as lower prices help expats
to make the most of their
earnings.
Whilst expats in Vietnam are no
more likely to see an increase
in their wages than those in
any other country, with 52% of
expats in Vietnam saying they
earn more than they would
have at home compared with
a global average of 53%, their
disposable income shoots
up with lower prices for
everything from transport to
entertainment. Overall, three-
quarters of expats in Vietnam
(75%) say their disposable
income increased once they
moved compared with a global
average of just 53%.
That money is put to good use,
however, with just over half
(52%) of Vietnam-based expats
moving there to experience
a new challenge (compared
In addition, nearly eight in ten
(79%) of expats in the country
agree that they travel more than
they did at home (compared
With some of the cheapest
public transport in our survey
(61% noted cheaper forms of
public transport than at home
of 35%), theres no reason not
to explore the whole country.
A common tip from expats
who took part in our survey
is to soak up the Lunar New
Year festival or Tet, and with a
larger majority (89%) of expats
saying they enjoy the local
culture generally (compared
to a global average of 83%),
Vietnam has a lot to offer the
adventurous expat.
The local cuisine is another
stand out part of life in Vietnam,
with 87% saying they enjoy
the countrys fare compared
to 72% globally. With some
of the cheapest groceries in
the world (54% of expats in
Vietnam say they spent less on
their groceries since moving
of just 22%), its no surprise
that 80% of expats say they
got used to Vietnams local food
quickly (compared to a global
average of 73%).
However, whats ne food
Expat
Economics
Expat
Explorer overall
Expat
Experience
Raising
Children
Abroad
Its easy to
make friends in
Vietnam.
In summary without friendly company to
enjoy it with? Almost three-
quarters (73%) of Vietnam-
based expats found it easy to
make friends (compared with a
global average of 54%) and the
same proportion said the local
people were overwhelmingly
friendly (compared to an
average of just 48%). Its
unsurprising therefore, that
Vietnam is the third best place
to go for expats looking to
improve their quality of life,
with 62% saying they strongly
associate the country with a
high quality of life compared to
only 46% globally.
27%
Education
25%
Banking, Insurance,
Financial Services
12%
Marketing, Media,
Creative
Age Occupation
United
Kingdom
25%
Other
30%
United
States
21%
India
8%
Canada
8%
Australia
8%
INDIA
5%
35-54
18-34
55+
47%
40%
13%
Respondents: 122
Vietnam
Eat the local food and enjoy domestic travel.
Its cheap and easy to get around the country.
Expat in Vietnam
31%
69%
About the survey
A minimum country sample
of 100 expat respondents and
at least 30 expat parents is
required for that country to be
included in the league tables.
This year, 34 countries qualied
for the league tables.
Each league table scores
countries on a scale of zero to
one, with the highest score
ranking rst and the lowest
ranking last. All scores have
been rounded to two decimal
points.
Expat Explorer
overall league table
Abroad scores below, covering
survey.
Expat Economics
league table
the survey.
The Expat Explorer
survey was
completed by
9,288 expats from
over 100 countries
through an online
questionnaire in April
and May 2014.
Expat Experience league table
the survey.
league table
survey.
Expat Expenses
league table
of the Expat Expenses score
is derived from the disposable
survey.
Other
An expat is dened as an adult
over the age of 18 years old
who is currently living away
from their country of origin. All
ndings in this report are from
the 2014 Expat Explorer survey
unless referenced otherwise.
All monetary values are
expressed in US dollars ($).
1 (page 12)
Investopedia
www.investopedia.com/
terms/e/eagles.asp, New
York Times - www.nytimes.
com/2010/11/16/business/
global/16eagles.html?_r=0
2 (page 12)
Herd S., Dougherty R, (2007),
Growth Prospects in China
and India Compared, European
Journal of Comparative
Economics, June, 2007
3 (page 13)
World Bank
www.data.worldbank.org/
data-catalog/global-economic-
prospects
4 (page 13)
Expat Explorer 2014
World Bank
5 (page 15)
Wall Street Journal
www.blogs.wsj.com/
middleeast/2014/07/06/rising-
dubai-real-estate-prices-pose-
risk-for-uae-imf-says
12 (page 28)
Insurance News Net
www.insurancenewsnet.
com/oarticle/2014/07/13/
retiring-abroad-is-growing-in-
popularity-a-529469.html#.
U85_BUBP18E
13 (page34)
The Value of Education
Springboard to success,
HSBC, April 2014, p.7
14 (page 35)
Society at a Glance,
OECD, March 2014
15 (page 41)
The International
Medical Travel Journal:
www.imtj.com
news/?entryid82=416496
16 (page 41)
Internations.org
www.internations.org/
taiwan-expats/guide/living-in-
taiwan-15765/healthcare-and-
transportation-in-taiwan-2
17 (page 45)
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Emerging_and_growth-leading_
economies
6 (page 23)
Swiss Winter Sports
www.swisswintersports.co.uk/
wheretogo.php
7 (page 24)
The Dish
www.thedish.restaurant.com/
take-a-bite-out-of-2014-hot-food-
trends-for-the-new-year
8 (page 24)
The Guardian
www.theguardian.com/
world/2012/sep/14/japan-
centenarian-population
9 (page 26)
Keep Calm and Carry On
www.keepcalmandcarryon.
com/history
10 (page 26)
Retail Times
www.retailtimes.co.uk/uk-sees-
15-rise-number-independent-
coffee-shops-cloudzync-reports
11 (page 26)
Evening Standard
www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/
london-life/love-me-tinder-the-
dating-app-spreading-through-
london-like-wildre-8829112.
html
18 (page 45)
www.expatarrivals.com/brazil/
working-in-brazil
19 (page 45)
Expat Explorer
2013 survey
20 (page 45)
Go Brazil
www.gobrazil.about.com/od/
festivalsevents
21 (page 47)
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Emerging_and_growth-leading_
economies
22 (page 47)
Chinas Educational
Performance:
Implications for Global
Competitiveness, Social
Stability and Long-Term
Development, Manufacturers
Alliance, 2008
23 (page 49)
Expat Explorer
respondent in Germany, 2014
24 (page 49)
Expat Explorer
respondent in Germany, 2014
References
25 (page 54)
New Zealand
government statistics:
www.stats.govt.nz/tools_and_
services/population_clock.aspx
26 (page 56)
Construct Arabia
www.constructarabia.com/the-
big5/saudi-construction-market-
analysis
27 (page 58)
Expat Explorer
respondent in Switzerland, 2014
28 (page 58)
Expat Explorer
respondent in Switzerland, 2014
29 (page 60)
Expat Explorer
respondents in Thailand, 2014
30 (page 61)
Fethiye times
www.fethiyetimes.com/
travel-2/12306-turkey-popular-
destination.html
31 (page 62)
Emirates
www.emirates247.com/
business/economy-nance/
uae-economy-remains-in-sweet-
spot-hsbc-2014-08-05-1.558554
32 (page 64)
Value of Education report,
HSBC, 2014, p.7
Get involved
HSBC Holdings plc 2014
All rights reserved.
Excerpts from this report may be used or quoted,
provided they are accompanied by the following
attribution: Reproduced with permission from
the Expat Explorer Report, published in 2014 by
HSBC Expat.
HSBC Expat is a trading name of HSBC Bank
International Limited. HSBC Expat is an award
winning provider of offshore nancial services,
with its head ofce based in Jersey, Channel
Islands. Other than as provided above you may
not use or reproduce the HSBC trademark, logo
or brand name.
Published by HSBC Expat, Jersey
www.expat.hsbc.com.
Expat Hints & Tips:
www.expatexplorer.hsbc.com/hintsandtips
Blog:
www.expatexplorer.blogspot.com
Twitter:
www.twitter.com/expatexplorer
Interactive tool:
www.expatexplorer.hsbc.com
HSBC Expat website:
www.expat.hsbc.com
Press enquiries:
hsbc_expat@hkstrategies.com
Further information

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